MusicOriginal Score • John Stuart

Songs byJohn Stuart Peter FoersterAndrew Campbell Michael Latimer

Recording Engineer • Col FreemanArrangements • John StuartProduced by Kim Thraves

Music by Front

(NB Peter Foerster's name is spelt as Foerster in the film's credits, but it is also spelled as Foerster, Foester and Forester in various of the LP's credits)

Born in 1950, composer John Stuart was a musician who possibly landed the composing chores on the film via a connection to writer and co-producer Michael Latimer - like Latimer, Stuart was born in the UK.

Composer Stuart is frequently confused and conflated with the British silent matinee star of the same name. For example, French Films, here, provides a short biography for the matinee idol which credits him with the score, though he died several years before the film was made. (If interested in the silent actor Stuart, he has a wiki here, with a few useful links to stories about his career).

Ginger Meggs was composer Stuart's first score, and he then moved on to the 1983 romantic drama The Winds of Jarrah. While he did some other drama work, such as the 1984 telemovie The Great Gold Swindle, he seems to have settled in to being a kind of house composer for Burbank Films Australia, doing a string of scores for their animated short adaptations of the classics, which were aimed mainly at the home-minding children's tape market and at television - the 1983 David Copperfield was Stuart's first score for the animation house, followed by a number of Sherlock Holmes animations, another adaptation of Dickens, The Old Curiosity Shop, and other typical titles, such as 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Treasure Island, Westward Ho!, Peter Pan, Hiawatha, and Prisoner of Zenda.

This string of titles was only interrupted by Michael Caulfield's extremely problematic failure, Gallagher's Travels, in 1987.

There is a wiki on Burbank Films here, but it doesn't mention Stuart, being mainly concerned with the copyright status of the films. Unfortunately Stuart has been overlooked, in much the same way as some critics tend to dismiss Burbank product, though the company managed to survive the decade and generate close on 40 shows, no mean feat for an animation company in Australia. An Amazon customer has gone to the trouble of listing some 37 shows that are currently available - at time of writing, the list is here.

The score for Ginger Meggs was released as an LP, and is now very rare. Unfortunately the photos on the LP available to this site obscures Stuart and the other contributors to the music. So it goes, but here is what can be seen of them on the LP cover:

LP EMI APLP-055 1982Original movie score Composed and Arranged by John StuartAll tracks Written and Arranged by John Stuart, Andrew Campbell, Peter Foerster except* Written by Michael LatimerAll tracks AlbertProduced by Kim ThravesEngineered by Col FreemanRecorded at Albert Studios, Sydney, AustraliaFront: Drew Campbell, Peter Foerster, John Stuart, Peter MoloneyPerformed by:

Vocals: Drew CampbellGuitars: John Stuart Drums: Peter Foerster Keyboards: Andy CowanBass Guitar: Brian HamiltonFairlight C.M.I.: Duncan McGuireTechnicians: Tom StewartSax: Andrew RossBacking Vocals: Drew Campbell, Andrew Ross Special thanks to: Hamish Stuart: PercussionBob Ingram: Violin and Fixer“The Kids”: VocalsKim Lewis: VocalsSusy Midgley: VocalsScott Johnston: Snare DrumEd Gaston: Acoustic BassDavid Hemming: RecordingLes Hall: Guitar and AmpBruce and Russell: HelpBundaberg: More helpTed: Everything elseMeggs Band/Chorus

SIDE 1:

Ginger Meggs * (2'39")Pollyʼs Party (3'36")Circus Song (2'05")Bennyʼs Song (2'34")Min (I Wanna Be Your Romeo) (3'30")Fishing Music (Instrumental) (1'28")

SIDE 2:

Terrible Right (2'42")If Only He Wasnʼt Around (Cooganʼs Song) (4'42")Tonyʼs Song (4'00")Tiger Kelly (3'47")Captain Hook (1'34")

There were also a couple of 45s released though they didn't go anywhere:

45 EMI AP-809 1982

Produced by Kim Thraves Engineered by Col FreemanRecorded at Albert Studios, Sydney, Australia

Side A: If Only He Wasnʼt Around (Cooganʼs Song) (3'25") (Campbell - Foerster - Stuart) (Albert) Vocals: Front

Side B: Terrible Right (2'25") (Campbell - Foerster - Stuart). (Albert) Vocals: Front

45 EMI AP-916 1982

Side A: Ginger Meggs (Latimer) Vocals: Front

Side B:Min (I Wanna Be Your Romeo) (Campbell - Foerster -Stuart) Vocals: Front

The lyrics to the title song, which turns up over the opening and closing credits in the form of a genial military march, and is sung by a children's choir, run as follows (these are as per the lyrics printed on the LP's cover):

Ginger Meggs

Ah there Ginger, it's terrible good to meet yeYou're very exactly who we want to seeAh there Ginger, there's no-one who can beat yeThat's something everybody can agree

Chorus:Ginger Ginger MeggsAh there GingerGinger Ginger MeggsAh there Ginger

If you lose Minnie Peters will ye fight - yeah!Flatten Eddie Coogan with your right - yeah!Could Tiger Kelly frighten you away - no!No chance (no chance) that's why we say ..

Repeat Verse One

Ginger Ginger MeggsAh there GingerGinger Ginger MeggsAh there Ginger

When we need you Ginger you'll go anywhere - yeah!And if someone's making trouble you'll be there - yeah!Could they ever make you give your mates away - no!No chance (no chance) that's why we say …

Ginger Ginger MeggsAh there GingerGinger Ginger MeggsAh there Ginger

Repeat Chorus

For the record here are the lyrics for the other songs in the show:

Polly's Party

Polly's Party, I'd really like to goPolly's Party, How was I to knowPolly's Party, I didn't even thinkPolly's Party, I couldn't stop to ink

Polly's Party, I'm looking forward toPolly's Party, Just made for me and youPolly's Party, Now we're almost therePolly's Party, Hope nobody pulls my hair

Cause I've never dressed like a girl beforeBut it beats being locked indoorsI've never dressed, I think they call it dragWith a cute parasol and a pink handbag

Polly's Party, It's gonna be a screamPolly's Party, Like walking into a dreamPolly's Party, Lemonade and cakesPolly's Party, I don't want to make mistakes

If we get caught we can run out fastGrab the cakes as we're running pastIf we get caught it won't be the endWe'll play the game and still be friends

Bridge

Fooled them again, we're going to Polly's house tonightFooled them again, Ocker saved my life too rightFooled them again, we'll get into Polly's party tonightFooled them again, Ocker saved my life too right

Repeat verse 2, then verse 3, then

We fooled them again etc… (fade)

Circus Song

We're off to the circusBenny, Min and meWe're off to the circusHappy as can be

There's caravans and animalsPony carts and clowns, fairy flossBalls to toss and coconuts we've foundJugglers and monkeys, tigers hearThem sound, flying foxes on trapezeHigh above the ground

We're off to the circusBenny, Min and meWe're off to the circusToday it's all for free

There's caravans and animals

Pony carts and clowns, fairy flossBalls to toss and coconuts we've foundThe big parade, ooh! What a dayWe'll have a good time chumsThe ringmaster with his whip all setTo start the fun.

We're off to the circusBenny, Min and meWe're off to the circusHappy as can be

We're off to the circusBenny, Min and meWe're off to the circusToday it's all for free

Benny's Song

To me you're a knight in shining armourWith a castle in the skyOur horses together, we can hold out foreverLet Kelly and Coogan try

You're a well met companionRun rings around D'ArtagnanA one in a million friendYou know all the answersWe may run out of chancesBut I'll stick with you till the end

When Kelly knocks you down, I feel it tooCoogan puts you down, I'm down with youWhen Kelly knocks you down, I feel it too

I don't know much about love and romanceDon't know much about JulietBut I'll be your minder and look out for youDon't you ever forget

When you ride to the castleTo rescue the lady, I'll be waiting for you at the gateWith Tony and Mike and a getaway carWe'll make the great escape

When Kelly knocks you down, I feel it tooCoogan puts you down, I'm down with youWhen Kelly knocks you down, I feel it too

Repeat, fade

Min (I Wanna Be Your Romeo)

When you're in my dreamsI buy the ice creamsWhen I think of you JulietI think of the time we first metWhen you're beside me I feel 6 feet tallI'll take a shot at anyoneJust give me a call

Min I want to be your RomeoMin I want to be your heroMin I want to be your RomeoMin I want to be your hero

Your smile brings stars to my eyesI'll do anything for youYou can bet your lifeMy spotlight's always on youTake it from meAnytime you're chained upI'll set you free

Bridge:I don't believe in fantasyBut when you're here with meI forget all the things I've been taughtCos the things you've got can't be bought

Min I want to be your RomeoMin I want to be your heroMin I want to be your RomeoMin I want to be your hero

Repeat chorus

Hey Min I want to be your Romeo

Terrible Right

Coogan's trying to get under your guard againSpinning his lines on the situation to his friendsHe'll never make captain, he's trying to call your bluffBut we know you Ginge, we know you're going to be tough

Hit him with your terrible rightKnock him into the nightHit him with your terrible rightAnd the votes will be yours tonight

Darkey Todd, Jackey, Raggsy and BennyWe're standing on your side MeggsyAnd we'll get you inThe girls on the other side of the playgroundKeeping an eye out to see whose going to win

Hit him with your terrible rightKnock him into the nightHit him with your terrible rightAnd the votes will be yours tonight

Repeat verse two

Hit him with your terrible rightKnock him into the nightHit him with your terrible rightAnd the votes will be yours tonight

Repeat chorus

If Only He Wasn't Around

(Coogan's Song)

I've been trying to get an angleOn this babe for some timeSo much so I can't stay on my feetI'm sick of being battered by some desperate childIf I could only sweep her off her feet

I'm sick of being locked up inA love triangle, I'm reallyTired of no romanceI'd like to get some separationOn this desperate situationKnock him right out of his trance

If only he wasn't aroundAnd I was the only boy in townIf only he wasn't aroundAnd I was the only boy in town

I can't take it any longerThis boy's so much strongerI find it really hard to competeBut every dog has his day, babyI have mine, I'll sweep the honeyOff her feetI'm tired of being locked up in a love triangleI'm really tired of no romanceI'd like to get some desperate situationKnock him out of his trance

If only he wasn't aroundAnd I was the only boy in townIf only he wasn't aroundAnd I was the only boy in town

BridgeHis luck will run out one dayI'm gonna get himHis luck will run out one dayI'm gonna get himHis luck will run out one dayI'm gonna get himHis luck will run out one dayI'm gonna get himOne day I'm gonna get him

Repeat chorus

If only he wasn't aroundAnd I was the only boy in townIf only he wasn't aroundAnd I was the only boy in town

Repeat chorus

Out on bridge (feel in A)

His luck will run out etc.

Tony's Song

I've known you for so longAnd now old friend you've goneI wonder how you are todayCos I know you wouldn't run away

Now we're both gone, I know they won't understandNow we're both gone, I'm sick of their commandsNow we're both gone, who do they think they are

Bridge

Who they gonna blame for everything nowIt'll be good to sleep under the starsWho they gonna blame for everything nowDo they really know, who you areDo they really know, who you are

When I'm champion of the worldAnd I come back with it allI'll send in Tony with the chauffeurRing up mum and dad 'n giveMin a call

Now we're both gone, I know they won't understandNow we're both gone, I'm sick of their commandsNow we're both gone, who do they think they are

Repeat bridge and fade

Tiger Kelly

Well I've been chasing thisMicrobe for many a dayI try to pin him downHe's always in my wayA rusty top kid and his stupid dogI want to punch him outPut him on the job

I'm Tiger Kelly, I'm king of the alleyI'm Tiger Kelly, I'm gonna get you Meggsy

Well my best fun is when I bring Meggs undoneI make him hurt with a fistful of dirtI try my best so he gets no restHe keeps using all my imagination

I'm Tiger Kelly, I'm king of the alleyI'm Tiger Kelly, I'm gonna get you Meggsy

Bridge:Here I come right now yeah screamingDown the alley, ohHere I go now screamingDown the alley, oh oh

Repeat second verse

I'm Tiger Kelly, I'm king of the alleyI'm Tiger Kelly, I'm gonna get you Meggsy

I'm Kelly, Kelly, king of the alleyI'm Kelly, Kelly, king of the alleyI'm Kelly, Kelly, king of the alleyI'm Kelly, Kelly, I'm gonna get youMeggsy