Just came accross this thread. I have come accross some alternative lyrics recorded on Songs of the Irish Travellers cd and sung by Michael McDonagh in 1972..
The Crabfish
Oh, there was a little man and he had a little horse
And his saddle and his bridle dicky-pole accross
Mr Deedle-um, Doodle-um,old Mr. deedle-umpa-die-do-day
For he rode and he rode till he came to the brook
And he see the little fisherman fishing with his hook
Mr Deedle-um, Doodle-um,old Mr. deedle-umpa-die-do-day
Saying, Oh Mr fisherman, oh fisherman if you catch a crafish
Give unto me and I'll bring it home
Mr Deedle-um, Doodle-um,old Mr. deedle-umpa-die-do-day
But the fisherman, the fisherman he cotch a crabfish
He gave it unto me and I brought it home
Mr Deedle-um, Doodle-um,old Mr. deedle-umpa-die-do-day
Oh, when I brought it home sure Id neither pot nor dish
And I put it in the chamber where me mother used to piss
Mr Deedle-um, Doodle-um,old Mr. deedle-umpa-die-do-day
The mother got up for to do alittle drop
And the little oul crabfish stuck to her spot
Mr Deedle-um, Doodle-um,old Mr. deedle-umpa-die-do-day
Oh husband, oh husband, as sure as you are born
The devils in the pisspot giving me the horn
Mr Deedle-um, Doodle-um,old Mr. deedle-umpa-die-do-day
Oh, the master got up and he run for the whip
And the more he beat the codfish the more he held his grip
Mr Deedle-um, Doodle-um,old Mr. deedle-umpa-die-do-day
He beat him in the head and he kicked him in the side
And then the little codfish, then he did die
Mr Deedle-um, Doodle-um,old Mr. deedle-umpa-die-do-day
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