I know a female folksinger in southern Ontario, Nonie Crete. She's an excellent performer. She had a super accordion player a while back, and was doing a lot of Cajun-sounding stuff, but then I think she went back to playing solo for various reasons. Have any of you got to see her play?

Further to this, I once wrote a funny song (a parody, I guess you would say) to the tune of the theme from "Exodus". Remember? It's a very portentious piece of music, and was on the radio a lot in the 60's. Sing these lyrics to the them of Exodus:

The Accordion Song

I bought myself a big accordion I played it almost constantly The neighbours hated it They even prayed a bit That I'd stop, but I went on incessantly

I got myself a monkey with a cup And played outside the city hall Nobody asked me why They just kept walking by Till the cops came round and told me that was all

I said "You can't stop me, I have my rights!" "Oh, no," they said, "you must desist. We will impound your gear. You cannot play it here. We will put you on our public nuisance list!

And then we'll slap you with a heavy fine And take your monkey to the zoo You have no licensing To play that awful thing We demand that you remove it from our view!"

And so I went home with a heavy heart And put my accordion away But they'll be sorry Jack! Cos next week I'll be back With my bagpipes, and I'll blow them all away!!!

Copyright c 1995 George Coventry (lyrics only)