From the film "Let George Do It" (1940) starring George Formby, Phyllis Calvert, Garry Marsh and Hal Gordon. Composers: George Formby and Eddie Latta.
Lyrics -
Now in our family we've got a heirloom
They handed it to me a year ago
It's been in our possession since Grandad was a lad
I'll tell you what it is and then you'll know
It's my grandads Flannelette nightshirt
In it I was Christened one day
Down at the church they were in a whirl
No one seemed to know if I were boy or girl
They'd had one or two and ee! They were in mess
But it's all right said the preacher rather curt
I've been and had a quiz and I've found out what it is
By his grandad's Flannelette shirt, Lordy Lordy
His grandad's flannelette shirt
In 1810 grandfather joined the army
To fight Napoleon across the sea
You've heard about the battle they had at Waterloo
But what was it that brought us victory?
Why my grandad's flannelette nightshirt
It saved old England that day
Bonaparte said, "We are undone!"
And even Josephine put her gasmask on!
He shot our colours down and captured our flag
But we were not downhearted, it's a cert
For flying in the gale everyone could see the tail
Of my grandad's Flannelette shirt, Lordy Lordy
My grandad's Flannelette shirt
The other day I got an invitation
To go and join a nudist colony
And as the life was healthy and in the open air
I trotted off as happy as can be
With my grandad's flannelette nightshirt
I walked up to the door
Someone said, "Now, don't make a fuss!"
"Just take off your clothes and you'll be like us"
Well I was bashful so I stayed by myself
For with the girls I didn't want to flirt
But when I was asleep they all came and had a peep
At my grandad's flannelette shirt, Lordy Lordy
My grandad's flannelette shirt