Is it a cock or is it a hen

Subject: Is it a cock or is it a hen
From: GUEST,old singer
Date: 10 Nov 10 - 06:30 AM

Does anyone know the words of this humerous song ?

Subject: RE: Is it a cock or is it a hen
From: Mr Happy
Date: 10 Nov 10 - 06:49 AM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humerus

Subject: RE: Is it a cock or is it a hen
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Nov 10 - 07:24 AM

Sorry, but when I looked, that is all about bones and muscles. I did try " humourous ", but this did not help !

Subject: RE: Is it a cock or is it a hen
From: Will Fly
Date: 10 Nov 10 - 07:42 AM

The only song I know vaguely like that is the 1920s one - "Masculine Women and Feminine Men" which has the couplet:

Masculine Women, Feminine Men,
Which is the rooster, which is the hen?

Subject: RE: Is it a cock or is it a hen
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Nov 10 - 10:19 AM

No, sorry, but the one I want is just about a cock and a hen

Subject: RE: Is it a cock or is it a hen
From: Gutcher
Date: 10 Nov 10 - 10:29 AM

David Corner, Dalkeith, sings this one, if I can dig up his phone No. I will try and get the words.
Joe.

Subject: RE: Is it a cock or is it a hen
From: Diva
Date: 10 Nov 10 - 01:58 PM

So does Joe Aitken....I think its an Ian Middleton song but could be wrang

Subject: RE: Is it a cock or is it a hen
From: Melissa
Date: 10 Nov 10 - 02:09 PM

Masculine Women, Feminine Men

Subject: ADD: Masculine Women, Feminine Men (Leslie/Monaco)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 Nov 10 - 03:34 PM

Melissa's link has an excellent recording This one has abbreviated lyrics, but it's also a very interesting recording.

I found completed lyrics and links to a number of recordings at http://www.queermusicheritage.us/af2001a.html:

Masculine Women, Feminine Men

Written by Edgar Leslie/James V. Monaco, and
recorded by Merrit Brunies & His Friar's Inn
Orchestra on Okeh 40593, 3/2/26

Note: these are the complete lyrics, from the piano roll version of the song. Only the lines in purple were used in the recorded version.


MASCULINE WOMEN, FEMININE MEN
(Edgar Leslie & James V. Monaco)

Hey Hey women are going mad, today
Hey Hey fellers are just as bad, I'll say
Go anywhere, just stand and stare
You'll say they're bugs when you
look at the clothes they wear

Masculine Women Feminine Men
which is the rooster which is the hen
It's hard to tell 'em apart today
And SAY...
Sister is busy learning to shave
Brother just loves his permanent wave
It's hard to tell 'em apart today
HEY HEY
Girls were girls and boys were boys
when i was a tot,
Now we don't know who is who or
even what's what
Knickers and trousers baggy and wide,
Nobody knows who's walking inside
Those Masculine Women Feminine Men

Masculine Women Feminine Men
Which is the rooster which is the hen
It's hard to tell 'em apart today
And SAY...
Auntie is smoking, rolling her own,
Uncle is always buying cologne
It's hard to tell 'em apart today
HEY HEY
You go and give your girl a kiss in the hall
But instead you find you're kissing
her brother Paul
Mama's got a sweater up to her chin,
Papa's got a girdle holding him in
Those Masculine Women Feminine Men
Stop, Look, Listen and you'll agree... with me
Things are not what they used to be... you'll see
You say hello to Uncle Joe,
Then look again and you find it's your Aunti Flo
Masculine Women Feminine Men
Which is the rooster which is the hen
It's hard to tell 'em apart today
And SAY...
Wifey is playing billiards and pool,
Hubby is dressing kiddies for school
It's hard to tell 'em apart today
HEY HEY
Ever since the Prince of Wales in
dresses was seen,
What does he intend to be the King or the Queen
Grandmother buys those tailor-made clothes
Grandfather tries to smell like a rose
Those Masculine Women Feminine Men

---

Richard Halpern has an interesting YouTube recording, with slightly different lyrics.

Subject: RE: Is it a cock or is it a hen/Masculine Women...
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 Nov 10 - 04:45 PM

Old singer, is "Masculine Women" the song you're looking for?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Is it a cock or is it a hen/Masculine Women...
From: Gutcher
Date: 10 Nov 10 - 05:00 PM

Joe--- the chorus of the song asked for goes:-

Oh my what a how-de-do
ah didna ken if it was a hen
or a cock-a-doodle-do.

Joe.

Subject: RE: Is it a cock or is it a hen/Masculine Women...
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 10 Nov 10 - 05:58 PM

It may be traditional but I get quite cross about this sort of gender prejudice masquerading as humour.

Subject: RE: Is it a cock or is it a hen/Masculine Women...
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 10 Nov 10 - 06:15 PM

Richard I think you should learn to lighten up a bit. I don't feel that there is anything seriously prejudicial in the sentiment of the song just social commentary done in a humorous way.

Hoot

Subject: RE: Is it a cock or is it a hen
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 Nov 10 - 06:17 PM

Hi, Joe (Gutcher)-
If that's the chorus, the song we found is not the one requested. The search continues...

Is it the same general theme, not being able to distinguish women form men?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Is it a cock or is it a hen
From: Gutcher
Date: 10 Nov 10 - 07:27 PM

Joe---its about a cockerel that cannot or will not perform its
masculine functions. The owner loses patience with it and ends up
thrawin its neck.
"but it made a dammed guid potty o broth" sayeth the last line of
the last verse.
Joe.

Subject: RE: Is it a cock or is it a hen
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Nov 10 - 08:28 PM

Gutcher - you are on the right track, your chorus sounds right, and it is simply about a cock/hen of uncertain gender

Subject: RE: Is it a cock or is it a hen
From: Gutcher
Date: 11 Nov 10 - 05:35 AM

I have not been able to contact the person I heard singing this song
if and when I do I will post the words.
Diva---if it was by Ian Middleton I cannot find it mentioned on the
five or six recordings he made of his own compositions.
Joe.

Subject: RE: Is it a cock or is it a hen
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Nov 10 - 07:28 AM

I wouldn't be surprised if it was an Ian Middleton - Ah bide 'at wey masel'

Subject: RE: Is it a cock or is it a hen
From: Drumshanty
Date: 11 Nov 10 - 07:40 AM

It's here

Subject: RE: Is it a cock or is it a hen
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Nov 10 - 12:34 PM

Brilliant, thanks for your help