Lyr/Chords Req: Dusty Bluebells

Subject: Dusty Bluebells
From: Irish sergeant
Date: 02 Apr 01 - 09:21 PM

I'm looking for the lyrics, chords and hopefully a brief history of the British children's song "Dusty Bluebells" Was it around in 1888? and where in the U.K. was it sung? WOuld it have been sung in the whitechapel/Spitalfields area of London? Thanks in advance. Kindest reguards, Neil

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Dusty Bluebells
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Apr 01 - 04:39 AM

Don't know if this is it or not and it is only a clue, but the RTE have one listed on an episode of the Morbegs as "In and Out the Dusty Bluebells" here.

Good luck!

kat

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Dusty Bluebells
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 03 Apr 01 - 05:10 AM

I remember singing this - it was associated with a party game where (initially) one child weaves in & out of a circle of other children. They all sing (to the tune of 'bobby shaftoe')
In & out the dusty bluebells
In & out the dusty bluebells
In & out the dusty bluebells
Who shall be the leader?
Then the child selects the next child to lead the growing chain by standing behind them & tapping them on the shoulder (I think its probably whoever they were behind when the chorus ended), singing :
tippy-tappy on your shoulder
tippy-tappy on your shoulder
tippy-tappy on your shoulder
(child's name) shall be the leader
Then the 2nd child leads the chain (now of two) weaving in & out of the circle of 'dusty bluebells' again (all singing)- selecting another child to lead the growing chain when the chorus ends again.
And so it goes on - until there is only one child left - who I suppose must be the winner, and ends up leading the whole chain around the room.
That's how I remember playing it as a child in the 60s in Berkshire, England.
I expect there's some sinister ritual explanation for it.....

Kris

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Dusty Bluebells
From: Michael in Swansea
Date: 03 Apr 01 - 05:57 AM

Used to play this in the infants school in the 50's.
Thanks for the memory
And Kat, thanks for that site. Bookmarked!

Mike

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Dusty Bluebells
From: Irish sergeant
Date: 03 Apr 01 - 09:05 AM

Thank you all. I accesssed the site Kat but still haven't found it. The joys of haviing a dinosaur computer. I must admit, however that the old girl has served me well. Kindest reguards, Neil

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Dusty Bluebells
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Apr 01 - 03:20 PM

Wow, another timewarp - back to 1940; i'm back on the playground weaving in and out of the circle. There probably is a hidden meaning to this, but I never knew it

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Dusty Bluebells
From: Irish sergeant
Date: 03 Apr 01 - 07:20 PM

THe reason I asked for the history is I am researching a novel about Jack the Ripper and I would like to use that particular piece. I'm glad it rekindled some fond memories. Again thanks for all of the help. Neil

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Dusty Bluebells
From: GUEST,Net Mc
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 02:41 PM

I used to play this at play school in teh 70's great times!!

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Dusty Bluebells
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Jul 10 - 07:16 AM

Slight variation in the words - in Edinburgh it was 'I am your master' rather than 'Who shall be the leader?' and the refrain was 'pitter, pitter, patter on your shoulder', which I used to think referred to rain, perhaps washing the dust away.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Dusty Bluebells
From: Snuffy
Date: 08 Jul 10 - 08:23 AM

Tippy tippy taptoe on my shoulder
Who shall be your master.

Not sure whether that's what I used to sing (ca 1955) or my kids (ca 1990)

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Dusty Bluebells
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 08 Jul 10 - 12:29 PM

The late David Hammond recorded it on an album of Belfast street songs back in the 1960's.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Dusty Bluebells
From: Mo the caller
Date: 08 Jul 10 - 02:48 PM

Guest's Edinburg version was the one I learnt in London in the late 40s.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Dusty Bluebells
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Jul 11 - 10:26 AM

my children still sing this at playgroup now... our version is who will be my master and tippity tappity on your shoulder.. love it.