['Harry Lester and his Hayseeds', variety performers.] McGlennon's Hill Billy Song Book [lyrics of 63 songs, with photograph of Lester's band on cover and feature on him inside].

For information on Lester see his obituary in the Independent, 4 July 1993, which states that with his band he 'cheered up England during the blacked-out Forties'. 12pp., 4to. Stapled. In good condition, with light signs of age and wear. Cover text printed in red, with black and white 14.5 x 19 cm photograph of 'Harry Lester and his Hayseeds'. P.3 carries an article on 'Harry Lester', with photograph. The article stresses that Lester is not 'the pseudo cowboy on the stage, or in a fairground, dressed in a ten-gallon hat, and his own idea of cowboy garments, performing his lariat spinning, whip cracking, and possibly knife-throwing act', but 'the real gen-u-ine, dyed-in-the-wool article. […] Harry has originated the happy band of the “Hayseeds”, a combination of natural comedians, singers and musicians, who have achieved nation-wide popularity on the air […] their delightful singing and music covers the range associated with American cowboys, Hill Billies, and the homespun humour. Harry's new show incorporates several new and entertaining novelties and bears the very apt title, “Harry Lester's Comedians” [...] He has played BAOR, Germany, twice and broke all records'. Lyrics of 63 songs, from 'Across the Great Divide' to 'Yellow Rose of Texas', and including 'Hang on the Bell, Nellie', 'Hill Billy Band', 'Little Red Caboose Behind the Train', 'My Little Buckaroo', 'Oh, They're Tough, Mighty Tough in the West', 'Rolling down the Hilly-Billy Trail', 'Waiting for the Robert E. Lee', 'When it's Springtime in the Rockies' and 'Trail of the Lonesome Pine'. The Ulster origins of the hillbillies is highlighted by the inclusion of a version of 'Lilliburlero' [Lillibullero], with the lyrics totally rewritten. Also a few songs from the minstrel tradition ('Massa's in de Cold Ground' and 'Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy'). Scarce: no copy found on OCLC WorldCat or on COPAC.