Req:You sang it too fast and in the wrong key

Subject: Origins: SINGING BY NUMBERS
From: Shantyfreak
Date: 18 Dec 23 - 05:09 PM

Does anyone remember a spoof song about singing folk songs in prison.
The songs were given a number and people would call out the number instead of singing the song itself.
One new guy tried it by saying Number 378 (or similar) and was received by a deaafening silence and was told "we know the song but you sing it in the wrong key"
Your help would be appreciated.

Subject: RE: Origins: SINGING BY NUMBERS
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Dec 23 - 07:19 PM

Usually I hear this as a joke about jokes, told in prison. To save time, prisoners tell old jokes by calling out the numbers, and then everybody laughs. A newcomer calls out a number, and nobody laughs. One old-timer says, "He just doesn't know how to tell 'em."
So, there you go.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Origins: SINGING BY NUMBERS
From: Shantyfreak
Date: 19 Dec 23 - 05:51 AM

The spoken word joke whether about jokes or songs is, as Joe says, well known. However a former member of the Topic Folk Club used to sing a song with the same theme about popular folk songs. A colleague is trying to trace that song and add it to his repertoire. Jim

Subject: RE: Origins: SINGING BY NUMBERS
From: Long Firm Freddie
Date: 19 Dec 23 - 06:09 AM

A variant on Joe's version is when the new inmate calls out "407" and everyone falls about laughing. "That went well" he says to his cellmate. "Yes, we haven't heard that one before", came the reply.

LFF

Subject: RE: Origins: SINGING BY NUMBERS
From: Shantyfreak
Date: 21 Dec 23 - 04:41 AM

There are plenty of spoken word jokes around but this was a well crafted SONG. Still searching -- Jim

Subject: Lyr Req: You sang it too fast and in the wrong ke
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jan 24 - 01:14 PM

I'm looking for a song / poem that used to be performed by a friend who's sadly no longer with us.   

It was about someone who goes to a folk club where instead of singing all the verses to a long song, each song had a number and the 'singer' just stood up and said the number, and people applauded they knew which song it wa and whether they liked it or not.      The newcomer to the club decided to have a go at this, so stood up and said "One hundred and forty four" but the applause was polite at best.   When asking why this was, he was told 'You sang it too fast and in the wrong key'

Any ideas?    Thanks a lot

Joy

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You sang it too fast and in the wrong ke
From: Helen
Date: 04 Jan 24 - 01:38 PM

Welcome Joy,

There was a recent discussion here about telling jokes by just saying the number. I know that one context for the story was about prisoners telling jokes by calling out the number, but one of the new prisoners was told his joke wasn't funny because of the way he told it.

I can't remember what the topic name was, but someone here will know it and post the link. They may also know the poem or song you are seeking.

Subject: RE: Req:You sang it too fast and in the wrong key
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Jan 24 - 04:41 PM

I combined the two threads to avoid confusion (I hope)

Joe Offer, Mudcat Music Editor

Subject: RE: Req:You sang it too fast and in the wrong key
From: Helen
Date: 04 Jan 24 - 10:08 PM

Thanks Joe, you are a(n inter)national treasure!

Subject: RE: Req:You sang it too fast and in the wrong key
From: Spectacled Warbler
Date: 06 Jan 24 - 03:34 PM

Thanks all.   I'd not heard of the prison joke scenario, every day's a learning day!

Shantyfreak - I think I'm part of the team looking for the song on your colleague's behalf.   I was friends with Arthur, he used to sometimes give me veggies from his garden in return for lifts home from sessions, when he was able to be more active.

I'll keep looking for this song....

Joy

Subject: RE: Req:You sang it too fast and in the wrong key
From: The Doctor
Date: 07 Jan 24 - 07:04 AM

I heard the 'joke' version when I was a teenager, which is a long time go now, but it was set in a monastery of a silent order of monks, and the visitor told a joke they'd not heard before.