Subject: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: Cool Beans Date: 15 Jun 05 - 12:09 PM Where's your money? In my pocket. Where's your pocket? In my pants. Where's your pants? I left them home. Get out of here! Anyone know how this bit of comedy begins? When my cousin and I were about 5 we marched up and down the boardwalk at Coney Island chanting this until a man threw a glass of water at us (well, not the whole glass, just the water). That was about 50 years ago and I'm still traumatized. I think my cousin's all right, though. |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: dick greenhaus Date: 15 Jun 05 - 12:19 PM When I was child (some 70 years ago), we chanted the same thing, with the added ending for the last line, "... you dirty bum." |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: Highlandman Date: 15 Jun 05 - 01:33 PM As taught me by a bachelor uncle: I'm not too sure about the first four lines, but the rest was seared into my impressionable little mind. Knock, knock- Who's there? Open the door, Walk in. Whaddya want? A glass o' beer. Where's your money? In my pocket. Where's your pocket? In my pants. Where's your pants? At home. Get outta here, ya dirty bum! Chanted in a repetitive minor-third pattern (like nya-nya-nya-nya-nya) -HM |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: Cool Beans Date: 15 Jun 05 - 04:41 PM Thank you, Highlandman! I do remember "Whaddya want? A glass of beer." And I think you're pretty close on "Knock knock. Who's there." |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: Highlandman Date: 16 Jun 05 - 01:22 AM No, no, that wasn't quite it... I've mixed it with another nonsense chant. The beginning is something like Knock at the door. Who's there? Grandpa. Whaddya want? A glass o' beer etc. Are we getting closer? -HM |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: Mr Red Date: 16 Jun 05 - 09:15 AM This sounds remarkably like the part of a Pace Egging song wot I collected from an old Folkie who used to live in Acrrington (Church and Oswoldtwistle to be precise) The words can be found on the songs pages of cresby.com look for collected songs "I'm a Paper Lad". A couple who come from there but are maybe in their 50's told me I had not got the words right but take that as the folk process. I have tried to get their version - I am hopeful. |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: Highlandman Date: 16 Jun 05 - 12:28 PM Thanks, Mr. R - what you have there is different enough to suggest that the underlying shtick predates both versions. I still can't quite remember the start of the one I learned. -HM |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: gnomad Date: 16 Jun 05 - 02:06 PM Rat-a-tat-tat (door knocking gesture) Who is that? On-ly Grandma's pu-ssy-cat. What d'you want? A pint of milk. Where's your money? In my pocket. Where's your pocket? I for-got it. Oh you si-lly pu-ssy-cat! Kids set of call and answer "game" from my childhood (UK, northern). Hard to reproduce the rhythm on the page, quite stacatto (sp?) though. |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: GUEST,Murray on Saltspring Date: 17 Jun 05 - 02:48 AM This is the entry in my collection of "bairnsangs". I thought I sent this in to the Digitrad DB, but perhaps not. Far are ye gaein'? Across the gutter. Fat for? A pund o' butter. Far's yer money? In my pocket. Far's yer pocket? Clean forgot it! - That "Fa" by the way = General Scots "Wha". [Aberdonian dialect] Source of quote is: Jean C. Rodger, Lang Strang (1948), 13, from Forfar, c. 1910. Cf. Ritchie Golden City (1965), 48, counting-out from Edinburgh, "Who's there?/ Tiny Tiny Bear", etc. [See Opies Lore and Language of Schoolchildren (1959), 10, a fascinating (and all too rare) series of comparisons covering two and a quarter centuries, the earliest specimen being lines from Henry Carey's satire Namby Pamby, 1726: "Now he acts the Grenadier,/ Calling for a Pot of Beer:/ Where's his Money? He's forgot:/ Get him gone, a Drunken Sot."] |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: GUEST Date: 20 Dec 05 - 05:59 PM Neenana, knock at the door Whose there? Granpa. Whaddya want? A glass of beer. Where's your money? In my pocket. Where's pocket? In my pants. Where's your pants? I left them home. Get outta here ya bad boy! That's how my granpa would sing it to my sister and me. :) |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: Mo the caller Date: 21 Dec 05 - 08:56 AM Gnomad's verse "grandma's pussy cat" was around in London too in the late 40s |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: Wyrd Sister Date: 22 Dec 05 - 05:42 AM Thanks gnomad - I remembered 'Oh you silly pussycat' but was struggling to remember the opening. (Northern UK, taught by grandmother born 1911) |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: Raggytash Date: 22 Dec 05 - 07:14 AM Actually its Raggytash's Mrs - Wombat - Raggytash taught me that version about the silly pussycat years ago and this is the first reference I have ever seen of it. I think he learned it from his grandmother, also North of England. |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: Cool Beans Date: 22 Dec 05 - 07:46 PM This is why I love folklore, and Mudcat. |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: Jim Dixon Date: 22 Dec 05 - 09:28 PM Here's a bit of dialogue I recall. It could start whenever anyone had just complained about some misfortune, to which someone else would reply, "That's tough." Then a third person would reply: --What's tough? And the dialogue between the latter two would continue: --Life. --What's Life? --A magazine. --How much does it cost? --Ten cents. --I've only got a nickel. --That's tough. --What's tough? Da capo ad infinitum, or ad nauseam, as the case may be. This dialogue was spoken, not sung. It had no punch line. The dialogue itself was the only joke. I suppose it was done to annoy or embarrass the person who had originally complained—a way of making fun of his complaint. Now that I reflect on it, it seems to be making the point that complaints are endless, if you indulge them. But I don't think I reflected that much when I was a kid. |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: Snuffy Date: 23 Dec 05 - 08:26 AM You remind me of the man What man? The man with the power What power The power of hoodoo Who do? You do Do what? Remind me of the man (remembered from some old B&W film - Marx brothers?) |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: BuckMulligan Date: 23 Dec 05 - 09:23 AM Snuffy, "the man with the power" occurs (don't know about "originates") in "The Bachelor and the Bobbysoxer" with Cary Grant, Myrna Loy and Shirley Temple, 1947. Lightweight flick but amusing. |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: GUEST,ca Date: 19 Aug 10 - 11:45 AM Knock Knock Who's there Grandpa What do you want a glass of beer ...(glass of milk) Where's your money... in my pocket Where's your pocket... in my pants Where are your pants .... I left them home Where do you live.... across the street What's your number?... Cucumber |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: Joe_F Date: 19 Aug 10 - 05:27 PM What's you name? Puddin' Tane. Ask me again, and I'll tell you the same. * Spring is coming. He is? Not "He is", "It is". It is what? It is coming. What is coming? Spring is coming. He is? * You dencink? You eskink? I'm eskink if you're dencink. I'm dencink, if your eskink. So I'm eskink! So I'm dencink! |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: GUEST,Donna F Date: 20 Aug 10 - 08:31 AM My mom taught us this, and we taught our kids, and now we're teaching our grandkids. Yesterday, (I'm getting older), I couldn't think of the start. So glad I found this page. The way we do it is Knock Knock Who's there? Grandpa What do you want? A glass of beer Where's your money? In my pocket. Where's your pocket? In my pants Where are your pants? I left them home Where do you live? across the street What's your number? Cucumber GET OUT OF HERE, YA DRUNKEN BUM Then we all laugh hysterically, thinking how inappropriate this is to teach kids. But we love it. |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: GUEST,pat Date: 21 Jan 11 - 12:16 AM My grandmother taught me this song: It goes: Knock Knock Who's there? What do you want? A glass of beer. Where's your money? In my pants. Where's your pants? At Home. Get out of here, you dirty bum.... |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: GUEST Date: 20 May 11 - 03:29 PM knock knock who's there grandpop what do you want a glass of beer where's your money in my pocket where's your pocket in my pants where's your pants i left them home get out of here you dirty bum |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: GUEST,Chria Date: 29 Jul 11 - 10:37 PM Grampa and Marjorie are talking: See saw, Marjorie dear Whaddy want? A glass of beer. Where's your money? In my pocket. Where's your pocket? In my pants. Get outta here, you crazy man! |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: LadyJean Date: 30 Jul 11 - 12:31 AM The dialog about the Man with the power comes from "The Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer", which starred Carey Grant as the bachelor and Shirley Temple as the Bobby Soxer. |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray Date: 30 Jul 11 - 05:04 AM David Bowie sings it in Labyrinth too... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViftZTfRSt8 |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: GUEST,mike Date: 03 Nov 11 - 04:33 PM When I was a kid (60s) I was told it as: See saw, marjorie daw Whos there? Grandpa Whaddaya want? A glass of beer Wheres your money In my pocket Wheres your pocket In my pants Wheres your pants I left 'em home Get outta here, ya drunken bum! |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: GUEST,Robert L. Date: 18 Nov 11 - 03:47 PM Knock knock. Who's there? Old Granny Dear. What do you want? A bottle of Beer. Where's your money? In my pocket. Where's your pocket? Oh, I forgot it. Well get out of here you silly blocket (sic), don't come round here without no pocket. Does anybody know the history of this knock knock? It has been in our family for many generations and probably came from North Carolina, possibly centuries ago. |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: GUEST Date: 09 Jan 12 - 01:04 AM I am looking for this too... can't remember the beginning but it went like this: knock knock where's your money in my pants where's your pants I left them home O get out of here you knucklebone Other's say bum or something at the end, but that doesn't rhyme. Knucklebone seems right. I just wish I could remember the other part! |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: GUEST,Samantha Date: 25 Mar 12 - 10:50 AM My father used to sing it like this: -Knock, Knock, Knock at the door Who's there? Granpa Whaddya want? A glass o' beer Where's your money? In my pocket Where's your pocket? In my pants Where's your pants? I left them at home Get outa here you drunken man!! |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: GUEST,JMS Date: 14 Jul 12 - 10:00 AM I LOVE reading all the variations!!! Im 38yrs. Old and am currently visiting with my mom who used to sing this to my sister and I. We got to talking about it and her version was: See saw mardgery daw Wheres your money? In my pocket Wheres your pocket? In my pants Wheres your pants? Home Where do you live? Across the street Whats your number? Cucumber |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: GUEST,Mike Mc Date: 01 Aug 12 - 08:04 AM Just a slight variation as well - learned from my Grandmother who grew up in Manhattan and the Bronx.... See Saw Knock at the door Who's there? Grandpa. What do you want? A glass of beer. Where's your money? In my pocket. Where's your pocket? In my pants. Where's your pants? I left them home. Get out of here you dirty old man! (different beginning and ending - but basically the same!) |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: GUEST Date: 12 Oct 12 - 03:21 AM Born 1973 (and raised) Brooklyn NY. We sang it everytime we were on a see-saw. This was our version: See-saw, knock on the door Who's there Grandpa. Whaddya want? A bottle a beer. Where's your money? In my pocket. Where's your pocket ? In my coat? Where's your coat? I left it home. Get outta here ya drunken old man!! |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: GUEST,EK Date: 17 Feb 13 - 01:06 AM Knock knock. Who's there? A grenadier. What do you want? A pint of beer. Where's your money? In my pocket. Where's your pocket? I forgot it. Get along home you silly blockhead. |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: GUEST Date: 08 Mar 13 - 07:10 AM Born in Brooklyn, 1972. This thread helped me remember how my grandpa would sing it to us. Thanks everyone! See-saw Knock on the door Who's there Grandpa Frank Whadda ya want A drink of beer Where's your money In my pocket Where's your pocket In my pants Where's your pants The Brooklyn bridge! |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: GUEST,Rochester ny Date: 08 Apr 13 - 05:33 PM My grandmother was from Brooklyn, born in 1922. Her version ended: Where's your pants? I left them home. Go home, get your money, then you'll get your glass of beer! |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: GUEST Date: 24 Apr 13 - 09:41 AM Knock, knock Whose there Grandpa What do you want? A glass of beer. Where's your money? In my pocket. Where's your pocket? I left it home. Get out of here drunken man! That is how my grandma n mom sang it to me. Lol |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: Sanjay Sircar Date: 25 Apr 13 - 06:01 AM 1. I know that "Grenadier" nursery rhyme sans the "Knock-knock" and answer, as "Who goes there?" A Grenadier. "What d'you want?" A glass of beer. "Where's your money?" I've forgot. "Get you gone - you drunken sot!" (This was from a book, not folk transmission.) 2. I know one of the others cited above, again sans any knock-knock and not as a song (Calcutta, 1963, schoolfriend Dilip Palit): What's your name? Pudding Tame. Where d'you live/ Up the lane. What's your number? Twenty-two cumber [?] What d'you eat? Friday meat. What d'you drink? Black ink. Amazing, the fruits of colonialism. Sanjay Sircar |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: GUEST,oldpantsnewjersey Date: 17 Aug 13 - 10:22 AM My grandmother's ending variation was: "Get out of here, you dirty, drunken bum!" |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: GUEST Date: 02 Dec 13 - 01:33 PM It's goes : Knock knock Who's there ? Grandpa What'd 'you want ? A glass of beer Where's your money ? In my pocket Where's your pocket ? In my pants Where's your pants ? I forgot them Get out of here you dirty old bum! That's how my father and grandma use to sing it |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: GUEST,Jean, Norwalk CT Date: 02 Dec 13 - 07:46 PM |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: GUEST Date: 15 Jan 14 - 08:05 AM I'm 32 my grandmother always said this to us and my sister and o say it to our kids. Knock knock who's there grandpa .what do ya want? A glass of beer where's ya money ? in my pocket .where's ya pocket? in my pants where's ya pants left them home.get. outta here you drunken man |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: GUEST,I KNOW THE LYRICS Date: 24 Mar 14 - 02:53 PM I know the lyrics See saw, rockedy daw (or margery daw) who's there, (insert name here) whadd'ya want? a bottle o' beer wheres your money? in my wallet wheres your wallet? in my pocket wheres your pocket? in my pants where are your pants? left 'em at home where do you live? across the street whats your number? CUCUMBER thats what was sung to me when I was little at least |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: GUEST,Pheasant Date: 06 Apr 14 - 04:16 AM I grew up in the Philadelphia, PA suburbs in the '80s, but my family is originally from Brooklyn. I knew a slightly different version from any of those previously listed. Seesaw Margery Daw Who's There? Grandpa! What do you want? A glass of beer! Where's your money? In my pocket! Where's your pocket? In my pants! Where's your pants? At home! Go and get 'em! Seesaw Margery Daw (repeat if annoying) |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: Jim Carroll Date: 07 Apr 14 - 03:29 AM Where you going Bob Down the lane Bob What for Bob Stick of Roo Bob Let's come Bob No Bob Why Bob Because you don't like roo-bob Bob Jim Carroll |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: GUEST Date: 18 Nov 14 - 12:15 AM This was ours: Knock knock Who's there? Just a little teddy bear. What do you want? Just a beer. Where's your money? In my pocket. Where's your pocket? In my pants. Where's your pants? In my closet. Where's your closet? In my house. Where's your house? Around the corner. What's your number? CUCUMBER! |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: GUEST,itsdenhaley Date: 21 Aug 15 - 09:40 AM From Brooklyn, 1965 See saw, knock at the door Who's there? Grandpa! Whadya want? A glass a beer Where's your money? In my pocket Where's your pocket? In my pants Where's your pants? I left 'em home Go home, ya big, fat bum!! |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: GUEST, Jon and GG Date: 29 Dec 15 - 02:04 PM I love reading this thread! My mom (may she rest in peace) taught this to us. She grew up in Brooklyn in the 40's and 50's. The version she taught us went like this: See saw, knock at the door. Who's there? Grandpa. Waddaya want? A glass of beer. Where's your money? In my wallet. Where's your wallet? Upstairs, in my pants. Get out before I punch you in the nose! |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 30 Dec 15 - 09:41 AM GUEST, Robert L gave us these lines: Oh, I forgot it. Well get out of here you silly blocket (sic), don't come round here without no pocket. and GUEST EK gave us: Where's your pocket? I forgot it. Get along home you silly blockhead. I'd bet money that "blocket" was one of three things, probably from way back in the folk processing: a Mondegreen for "blockhead", or a deliberate change for the sake of the rhyme, or a dialectal version of "blockhead". My pick of the above would be the third one. |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: GUEST,Peter Date: 30 Dec 15 - 12:44 PM My mother had a version that she must have thought was a "girls" rhyme as she never taught it to me but I remember her saying it to my cousin's daughters. I never did think to note it down or ask her where she learned it before she died. |
Subject: RE: Folklore: Where's your money? In my pocket From: GUEST,Michael Aff Date: 30 Dec 15 - 07:38 PM Here's what Mom taught us: See saw Knock at the door Who's there? Grandpa What do you want? A glass of beer Where's your money? In my pocket Where's your pocket? Upstairs in the bedroom Get outta here before I punch you in the nose! |
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