Lyr Req: Cucumber just an uncooked banana

Subject: Lyr Req: Cucumber just an uncooked banana
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 19 Mar 20 - 07:18 PM

Talking to an aged uncle today, he asked if I knew a novelty song, A cucumber is just an uncooked banana (or something similar). It's not one I've heard of; could it be a Music Hall song? He could be remembering it from any time from, oh, the 1930s to the 1950s.
Anyone in Mudcatland know of it?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cucumber just an uncooked banana
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 19 Mar 20 - 09:41 PM

I wanna know! it could be the perfect song to lift spirits in these days of cancelled concerts & festivals!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cucumber just an uncooked banana
From: cnd
Date: 19 Mar 20 - 11:07 PM

I have an album by the Putnam County Pickers where in the song Vegetable Garden Blues they sing:

You may be a cucumber / And really think you're cool / A real top banana / Talkin' 'bout nobody's fool.

But I don't believe that is the song you're looking for.

I'm unfortunately not finding much of importance; too many recipes are cluttering the searches!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cucumber just an uncooked banana
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 20 Mar 20 - 02:43 AM

I used to make banana cake, but can't imagine it with cucumbers ...

why am I being so silly? It's probably cos I've been cancelling concerts & sessions all over the place (insert sad face)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cucumber just an uncooked banana
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 20 Mar 20 - 05:18 PM

I suspect the banana would be called a plantain these days. They don't require cooking, but it does make the fruit more palatable and digestible. Bananas weren't common until after 1884 in England, that being when the first batches were shipped from the Canary Islands. That said, I'm stumped regarding the song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cucumber just an uncooked banana
From: JHW
Date: 20 Mar 20 - 05:45 PM

Freind at Greatham pub last Boxing Day had a banana on table in front of her.
I asked was it the vegan sausage roll?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cucumber just an uncooked banana
From: Joe_F
Date: 20 Mar 20 - 05:49 PM

Once found, the some might well be preceded by "I like chickens -- vegetables with feet".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cucumber just an uncooked banana
From: JennieG
Date: 20 Mar 20 - 07:12 PM

Isn't there an old song - could be music hall or thereabouts - something about "I've never seen a straight banana"?

I like bananas, I don't like cucumbers. No way would I mistake one for the other.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cucumber just an uncooked banana
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 20 Mar 20 - 08:17 PM

Here's the song (with lyrics).

I've Never Seen a Straight Banana

https://www.google.com/search?q=%22I%27ve+never+seen+a+straight+banana%22&rlz=1C1CHBF_enCA846CA846&oq=%22I%27ve+never+seen+a+str

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cucumber just an uncooked banana
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 20 Mar 20 - 08:21 PM

Sorry. I got to YT via Google search. Lyrics aren't with the YT video. If you want them I'll get 'em.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cucumber just an uncooked banana
From: JennieG
Date: 20 Mar 20 - 09:05 PM

Many thanks, GUEST, Starship - that's the one!

Allow me to add this little gem to the oeuvre of banana songs.

"I like bananas because they have no bones"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cucumber just an uncooked banana
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 21 Mar 20 - 04:17 PM

Ah, I've sung 'Straight banana' before now, but it's not that one. Nor A little bit of cucumber by Harry Champion (which I've also sung a few times) ...