Lyr Req: Wingo Wang Wingo (Applachian Ditty)

Subject: Wingo Wang Wingo (Applachian Ditty)
From: voyager
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 12:41 PM

My 1st interest in traditional Americana (Appalachian)
Music came from a film I saw as a 'raw youth'.
Lyrics went like this...

CHORUS
Wingo wang wingo wang wingo
Wingo wang wingo wang way
Hulla ba lulla ba larney
Singing polly wolly doodle all the day.

VERSE
My wife she is blue-eyed and pretty
My wife she is blue-eyed and black (!)
She calls me her rotten potato
And my heart it goes clickety clack

Any takers???

voyager
FSGW Ghetto

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Wingo Wang Wingo (Applachian Ditty)
From: Sorcha
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 01:01 PM

I don't suppose you remember the name of the film? No hits on any of the phrases, except Polly wolly doodle, and it definitely is not the Polly Wolly in the DT.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Wingo Wang Wingo (Applachian Ditty)
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 01:18 PM

Polly Wolly Doodle (All Day) is first recorded in 1880, Harvard Student Songs. See Traditional Ballad Index, CSUfresno. The same tune is used for Fiddler's Bitch and other tunes.
In 1919, Lucy Maude Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables fame) mentioned the song in "Rainbow Valley." Cornelia complained about the impropriety of singing it in a graveyard. Anne replied that many there probably sang it when they were alive, and would like to hear it again.
I would guess that your version was made for the film.
There are many verses. I will add some to the DT when I get time.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Wingo Wang Wingo (Applachian Ditty)
From: Bill D
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 08:41 PM

that is one of those little ditties that get re-written and re-arranged by everyone that hears it!...I have heard an English singer...(memory stalled!)..sing some version

"with me too-roo-roo, too-roo-roo randy...etc.." and including the line about "me wife...is ____ , she's black"..ending with.."I'm a mechanical switch" (polite version)

if it wasn't so late, I could dredge up the rest and where I heard it...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Wingo Wang Wingo (Applachian Ditty)
From: GUEST,Ernest
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 02:04 AM

It seems to be a variant of the Irish song "Dick Darby the Cobbler" or simply "The Cobbler". The DT or "Yet another Digital Tradition" (to be found over the links page) should provide you with complete versions (the latter one plus notation). The Max Hunter Collection (also accessible over the links page) contains an American version called "Dick German the Cobbler".

All the best

Ernest

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Wingo Wang Wingo (Applachian Ditty)
From: voyager
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 12:54 PM

WILAM! (what I like about Mudcat)

Guest,Ernest hit the nail on the proverbial head with the
Dick Darby the Cobbler reference. WEONP (Where else on
the Planet) could someone piece this song excerpt to its
historical origins.

On a tangent now....
There used to be a Saturday Public Radio program from
the UK where a few song experts would be given a sound
bite of a popular song (like musical theater) and then
Name That Tune.

I propose that DT subscribers would provide a fantastic mix for Name That Tune (traditional style).

Tangent off.

voyager
FSGW Ghetto