Lyr Req: Cuddle (Against the War) (Nancy Nicolson)

Subject: Lyr Add: Cuddle against the wall
From: GUEST,JennyO
Date: 19 Apr 14 - 10:45 PM

Heard a number of times in the Middle Bar:

Cuddle cuddle, cuddle against the wall
Use your arms for cuddling, that's what arms are for.
Esculation could be bliss,
You start off with a cuddle and you end up with a kiss.

That's the chorus - or close to the right words of it. Does anyone know any of the verses?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cuddle against the wall
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 Apr 14 - 03:09 AM

I searched everywhere I could of, and couldn't find any reference to this song. I hope we find it.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cuddle against the wall
From: GUEST,Musket
Date: 20 Apr 14 - 03:14 AM

I could unhelpfully guess and write the third or fourth verse?

;-)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cuddle against the wall
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 20 Apr 14 - 04:31 AM

It's by Nancy Nicolson from Caithness, but long-time resident of Edinburgh. Very popular song in these parts, but the title there is wrong: it should be Cuddle against the WAR!
Don't have the lyrics with me but could post later this week if no-one beats me to it!
Other songs by Nancy "I'm the man who lost the radio-active tubes" - having lived near the Dounreay nuclear energy plant in Caithness!
Nancy is still out doing gigs, notably she has done afternoon short concerts in The Royal Oak pub during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and you've just missed her at "The World's Room" last Friday.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cuddle against the wall
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 20 Apr 14 - 04:43 AM

If you're in a hurry for it, there is one YouTube of the song, simply entitled "Cuddle". Nancy has her own website in evolution, where it says "lyrics to come later".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cuddle against the War (wall???)
From: GUEST,Musket
Date: 20 Apr 14 - 05:33 AM

Sorry but for the third verse I have just written, it definitely has to be against the wall..

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cuddle against the War (wall???)
From: JennyO
Date: 20 Apr 14 - 05:37 AM

Found the youtube. Now as soon as i can get out of this noisy room of morris dancers, i will have some chance of hearing the words :-)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cuddle against the War (wall???)
From: Johnny J
Date: 20 Apr 14 - 08:12 AM

Delighted to hear that Nancy's songs are popular at The Sidmouth Singers week.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cuddle against the War (wall???)
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 20 Apr 14 - 11:22 AM

Well a certain singer from Edinburgh whom you also know (other than me) introduced the Middle Bar Singers to that song!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cuddle against the War (wall???)
From: Johnny J
Date: 20 Apr 14 - 11:54 AM

Does she also sing about her "husband in Salonika"?

:-)

Subject: Lyr Add: CUDDLE (AGAINST THE WAR) (Nancy Nicolson)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 23 Apr 14 - 11:37 AM

My transcription from this YouTube video, which was uploaded by "IdwalTJ" who I assume is also the singer. He says: "Written by Nancy Nicolson, the Scottish singer songwriter. An anti-war song with a sense of humour."


CUDDLE

CHORUS: Oh, cuddle, cuddle, cuddle against the war.
Use your arms for cuddling; that's what arms are for.
Escalation* could be bliss.
Start off with a cuddle; end up with a kiss.

1. Cuddle a Frenchman from gay Paree.
Sit yourself upon his knee.
Run your fingers through his hair,
And leave the rest to laissez-faire.

CHORUS: Then cuddle...etc.

2. Cuddle a Russian, a peasant hussar.
Let him show you his samovar.
They say the Russians all say "nyet."
I've never had that answer yet.

CHORUS: So cuddle...etc.

3. Cuddle an Indian; do it with verve,
Then you'll break down that brave's reserve.
Get into a big powwow,
Then he's bound to show you "how"—

CHORUS: To cuddle...etc.

4. Cuddle an Australian, a wizard of Oz,
On the beach with Santa Claus.
Rub his back with suntan oils,
And wait until his billy boils.

CHORUS: Then cuddle...etc.

[* possibly a pun on "osculation"?]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cuddle (Against the War) (Nancy Nicolson)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 24 Apr 14 - 05:38 AM

Another of Mrs Admirals regular offerings at Maidenhead

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cuddle (Against the War) (Nancy Nicolson)
From: GUEST,Nancy Nicolson
Date: 24 Apr 14 - 06:36 AM

Amazed to see my wee song all over the place. Thanks to my lovely friend Alison Duncan.
Here it is.
Last line is an instruction "start off with a Cuddle", not "you start off.. " Miss that "you". it sings better.
Here's the gen anyway:
Cuddle (against the War)

Some folk say that only nuclear arms will keep us safe,
others that only conventional arms will keep us safe.
The ONLY arms that will keep us safe are fixed to our shoulders,
and we got them for cuddling with.

A friend reported some years ago that Cuddle was now "in the tradition" as he heard a new version at Sidmouth Folk Festival. It went:   "Piddle, piddle, piddle against the wall.... "

And Newcastle's lovely singer Di Henderson   has been known to sing
"..... Escalation could be luck
Start off with a cuddle, end up with a ...... "             ( now what was she going to say!)

                title: CUDDLE

                Chorus:
                Cuddle, cuddle, cuddle against the war
                Use your arms for cuddlin, that's what arms are for
                Escalation could be bliss
                Start off with a cuddle, end up with a kiss

                Cuddle a Russian, peasant or Czar
                And he may show you his ... samovar
                They say the Russians answer Niet
                I've never had that answer yet !

                Cuddle a Frenchman from Gay Paree
                Go and sit upon his knee
                Run your fingers through his hair
                And leave the rest to Laissez-faire !

                Cuddle and Injun, do it with verve
                Break down that Brave's reserve
                Get into a big Pow-wow
                I'm sure that he will show you "How !"

                Cuddle Australian, a wizard from Oz
                Lie on the beach with Santa Claus
                Rub his back with amber oils
                And wait until his Billy boils !

                Cuddle a Scotsman, he's Clydeside built
                Ask what's worn beneath the Kilt
                "There's nothing worn North of the border,
                 Ma dear, it's all in working order !"

Nancy Nicolson, mid 1980s

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cuddle (Against the War) (Nancy Nicolson)
From: GUEST,Nancy Nicolson
Date: 24 Apr 14 - 07:24 AM

I am amazed to find this interest in my wee song. Thanks Alison D for telling me.
Here's the gen:    title:   CUDDLE       (against the War)

Some folk say that only nuclear arms will keep us safe,
others that only conventional arms will keep us safe.
The ONLY arms that will keep us safe are fixed to our shoulders,
and we got them for cuddling with.

A friend reported some years ago that Cuddle was now "in the tradition" as he heard a new version at Sidmouth Folk Festival. It went:   "Piddle, piddle, piddle against the wall.... "

And Newcastle's lovely singer Di Henderson has been known to sing
"..... Escalation could be luck
Start off with a cuddle, end up with a ...... "             ( now what was she going to say!)

Chorus:
                Cuddle, cuddle, cuddle against the war
                Use your arms for cuddlin, that's what arms are for
                Escalation could be bliss
                Start off with a cuddle, end up with a kiss   

                Cuddle a Russian, peasant or Czar
                And he may show you his ... samovar
                They say the Russians answer Niet
                I've never had that answer yet !

                Cuddle a Frenchman from Gay Paree
                Go and sit upon his knee
                Run your fingers through his hair
                And leave the rest to Laissez-faire !

                Cuddle and Injun, do it with verve
                Break down that Brave's reserve
                Get into a big Pow-wow
                I'm sure that he will show you "How !"

                Cuddle Australian, a wizard from Oz   
                Lie on the beach with Santa Claus
                Rub his back with amber oils
                And wait until his Billy boils !

                Cuddle a Scotsman, he's Clydeside built
                Ask what's worn beneath the Kilt
                "There's nothing worn North of the border,
                Ma dear, it's all in working order !"

Nancy Nicolson, mid 1980s,   I seldom sing all the verses, rather select according to the company.                                                                         Below, great wee verse from Paddy Bort of Edinburgh Folk Club, 2013

                Cuddle a German, don't mention the War
                Go for a drive in his German car
                When on the Autobhan you click
                They call it "Vorsprung Durch Tecnik

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cuddle (Against the War) (Nancy Nicolson)
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 25 Apr 14 - 04:37 AM

Love it, Nancy, including all the variations! You kindly gave me the lyrics a while back.

I was away in France when Jenny O's request came up, tho' didn't get to sit on any knees, malheureusement.
And yes it's Gilly H who sings the original in the Middle Bar in Sidmouth, and some of the others there made up the piddle version!
Trish

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cuddle (Against the War) (Nancy Nicol
From: GUEST,JennyO
Date: 21 May 15 - 12:48 PM

I made up another verse for it when I was sitting around one day with nowt to do. I thought being an equal opportunity to all races kinda song that maybe we should include species from further afield :-)

Cuddle an alien, a man from Mars
From up there among the stars.
Snuggle closer and I'll bet
A close encounter you will get!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cuddle (Against the War) (Nancy Nicolson)
From: GUEST,#
Date: 21 May 15 - 04:41 PM

Ifound the following at

http://jackmangan.com/undeadpan/

It's about 4/10ths the way down.

CUDDLE

Oh, cuddle, cuddle, cuddle against the war.
Use your arms for cuddling; that's what arms are for.
Escalation* could be bliss.
Start off with a cuddle; end up with a kiss.

Cuddle a Frenchman from gay Paree.
Sit yourself upon his knee.
Run your fingers through his hair,
And leave the rest to laissez-faire.

Oh, cuddle, cuddle, cuddle against the war.
Use your arms for cuddling; that's what arms are for.
Escalation* could be bliss.
Start off with a cuddle; end up with a kiss.

Cuddle a Russian, a peasant hussar.
Let him show you his samovar.
They say the Russians all say "nyet."
I've never had that answer yet.

Oh, cuddle, cuddle, cuddle against the war.
Use your arms for cuddling; that's what arms are for.
Escalation* could be bliss.
Start off with a cuddle; end up with a kiss.

Cuddle an Indian; do it with verve,
Then you'll break down that brave's reserve.
Get into a big powwow,
Then he's bound to show you "how"—

Oh, cuddle, cuddle, cuddle against the war.
Use your arms for cuddling; that's what arms are for.
Escalation* could be bliss.
Start off with a cuddle; end up with a kiss.

Cuddle an Australian, a wizard of Oz,
On the beach with Santa Claus.
Rub his back with suntan oils,
And wait until his billy boils.

Oh, cuddle, cuddle, cuddle against the war.
Use your arms for cuddling; that's what arms are for.
Escalation* could be bliss.
Start off with a cuddle; end up with a kiss…

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cuddle (Against the War) (Nancy Nicolson)
From: Joe_F
Date: 21 May 15 - 05:25 PM

I liked "esculation" in the first version. Clearly it means the escalation of osculation. We all know where that leads.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cuddle (Against the War) (Nancy Nicolson)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 21 May 15 - 06:55 PM

I once heard Andy Barnes, in the Three Horseshoes barn at Towersey festival, subversively joining in the chorus as "Escalation could bring luck".....

Kitty

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cuddle (Against the War) (Nancy Nicolson)
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 22 May 15 - 04:08 AM

Nancy herself seems to have heard that version from someone else! ( See her post of 24.04.14.)