"No Milk Today", In England, milk was delivered to the door in glass bottles and there was usually a regular order (Two pints please). The empty bottles were rinsed and left on the doorstep for the milkman to pick up with the next delivery. It wasn't unusual to leave a note in the top of a bottle for any variation ("one extra pint, please, we have company" or "No milk for the next week, we are away") "no milk today" was the most common, usually because for some reason the previous day's hadn't been used. Of course this matches in with the general thrust of the song. Only one person is living there now, the other has left, so not so much milk is being used, hence "No milk today, it seems a common sight But people passing by don't know the reason why"
And in case you're wondering, "just two up, two down" describes a small english terraced house with two main rooms on the ground floor and two bedrooms above. I was brought up in a 'three up, two down' terraced house.
So, the final meaning is that a couple were living together in a small, very working-class house, but their love made it a palace. But now she has left him and he is alone with only his memories.
@AlanOldie I realize this subj is 11 years old ( 2020 at time of my reply ), however I wanna thank you for the nice summary, esp the 2up 2down comment. Brilliant.
-kel
@AlanOldie I realize this subj is 11 years old ( 2020 at time of my reply ), however I wanna thank you for the nice summary, esp the 2up 2down comment. Brilliant.
-kel
@AlanOldie It's even sadder than that. A couple might live in a flat or a bungalow, three rooms on one level. Two up, two down is a house for people planning on starting a family. But all his hopes and dreams have ended when his love went away.
@AlanOldie It's even sadder than that. A couple might live in a flat or a bungalow, three rooms on one level. Two up, two down is a house for people planning on starting a family. But all his hopes and dreams have ended when his love went away.
I remember milk deliveries. One thing was, milk right from the dairy was pasteurized but not homogenized unless you asked for "homo milk". :) So, when you removed the pog (a replaceable cardboard seal) the top of the bottle was filled with cream, perfect for your coffee or cereal.
I remember milk deliveries. One thing was, milk right from the dairy was pasteurized but not homogenized unless you asked for "homo milk". :) So, when you removed the pog (a replaceable cardboard seal) the top of the bottle was filled with cream, perfect for your coffee or cereal.
There was a little wire cage the bottles went into, to keep critters from messing with the milk. The note on changes to standard orders was printed by the dairy and had checkboxes so no one had to read anyone's handwriting.
We lived outside of town and so got deliveries only three days a week. The weekend order usually included a treat like chocolate milk, or eggnog in the winter. The dairy man also delivered eggs, cheese, cottage cheese, and in one place we lived, Danish pastries.
"No Milk Today", In England, milk was delivered to the door in glass bottles and there was usually a regular order (Two pints please). The empty bottles were rinsed and left on the doorstep for the milkman to pick up with the next delivery. It wasn't unusual to leave a note in the top of a bottle for any variation ("one extra pint, please, we have company" or "No milk for the next week, we are away") "no milk today" was the most common, usually because for some reason the previous day's hadn't been used. Of course this matches in with the general thrust of the song. Only one person is living there now, the other has left, so not so much milk is being used, hence "No milk today, it seems a common sight But people passing by don't know the reason why" And in case you're wondering, "just two up, two down" describes a small english terraced house with two main rooms on the ground floor and two bedrooms above. I was brought up in a 'three up, two down' terraced house. So, the final meaning is that a couple were living together in a small, very working-class house, but their love made it a palace. But now she has left him and he is alone with only his memories.
@AlanOldie Perfect explanation No one could do better! Congrats man.
@AlanOldie Perfect explanation No one could do better! Congrats man.
I remember those years when the milk came in glass bottles here in my country Brazil... 60's and 70's.
I remember those years when the milk came in glass bottles here in my country Brazil... 60's and 70's.
@AlanOldie I realize this subj is 11 years old ( 2020 at time of my reply ), however I wanna thank you for the nice summary, esp the 2up 2down comment. Brilliant. -kel
@AlanOldie I realize this subj is 11 years old ( 2020 at time of my reply ), however I wanna thank you for the nice summary, esp the 2up 2down comment. Brilliant. -kel
@AlanOldie It's even sadder than that. A couple might live in a flat or a bungalow, three rooms on one level. Two up, two down is a house for people planning on starting a family. But all his hopes and dreams have ended when his love went away.
@AlanOldie It's even sadder than that. A couple might live in a flat or a bungalow, three rooms on one level. Two up, two down is a house for people planning on starting a family. But all his hopes and dreams have ended when his love went away.
I remember milk deliveries. One thing was, milk right from the dairy was pasteurized but not homogenized unless you asked for "homo milk". :) So, when you removed the pog (a replaceable cardboard seal) the top of the bottle was filled with cream, perfect for your coffee or cereal.
I remember milk deliveries. One thing was, milk right from the dairy was pasteurized but not homogenized unless you asked for "homo milk". :) So, when you removed the pog (a replaceable cardboard seal) the top of the bottle was filled with cream, perfect for your coffee or cereal.
There was a little wire cage the bottles went into, to keep critters from messing with the milk. The note on changes to standard orders was printed by the dairy and had checkboxes so no one had to read anyone's handwriting.
We lived outside of town and so got deliveries only three days a week. The weekend order usually included a treat like chocolate milk, or eggnog in the winter. The dairy man also delivered eggs, cheese, cottage cheese, and in one place we lived, Danish pastries.