 The theme , an instrumental work , featured lyrics three times . The 1981 Christmas special , " Whoops " , had two verses of lyrics written by Roy Clarke that were performed over the closing credits . The 1983 film , " Getting Sam Home " , used those two verses , with an additional two and played them over the opening credits . Another altered version was sung during Compo 's funeral in the 2000 episode " Just a Small Funeral " . Bill Owen also wrote a different version of the lyrics but this version was never used during an episode of the show . 
