Subject: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... From: Joe_F Date: 05 May 04 - 09:46 AM I childhood I often heard quoted the following song fragment: Oh, you push the lever in And you pull the lever out And the smoke comes out the chimney just the same. If anyone knows the rest of it, I would be obliged. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... From: Tracey Dragonsfriend Date: 05 May 04 - 10:42 AM My grandad used to sing it as : you push the damper in and you pull the damper out and the smoke goes up the chimney just the same ... but I don't know any more words either. Nor does the DT, at least with "damper". |
Subject: Lyr Add: DAMPER SONG From: Tracey Dragonsfriend Date: 05 May 04 - 10:46 AM If it helps at all (bet it doesn't!), a "damper" is the thing in the flue of a fire that controls the strength of the draught. I suspect it moves a sliding plate somewhere. Ah - Google has several listings under "push the damper in ", including this : ------------------------------------- Damper Song Oh you push the damper in (thrust arm in with index finger pointing) And you pull the damper out (pull it back) And the smoke goes up the chimney just the same (point finger up with swirly motion) Oh you push the damper in and you pull the damper out And the smoke goes up the chimney just the same Chorus Star ar of the evening (point up) Shining on the cookhouse door or or (slam the door) Star ar of the ev e ning (point up) And the smoke goes up the chimney just the same (point finger up with swirly motion) Song is repeated several times in different styles for different versions. For example the Scout Leaders style (gut out) Guiders style (loud as you can) sex maniacs style (how do you push that damper in?) sissy boys version (guess), hippie style (hey man, like you push the damper in dude). Really, you can make it up yourself. ------------------------------------- |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... From: Tracey Dragonsfriend Date: 05 May 04 - 10:51 AM And there's all sorts (including the Damper Song) here at Silly songs , too. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... From: Joe_F Date: 05 May 04 - 06:19 PM Thank you. I tried Google, but evidently I heard a corrupt version in my childhood, so I missed "damper". Come to think, we were a Freudian family. Of course, even with "damper" instead of "lever", one might be reminded of Ringtail Tom is the stuff. He's the boss around the town, And if you've got your heat turned up, You better turn your damper down. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... From: MAG Date: 05 May 04 - 06:48 PM I learned the chorus (in childhood) as: Just the same, Just the same, and the smoke goes up the chimney just the same, (repeat the first part) thanks for the reminder; I haven't sung this in many decades. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... From: Mr Happy Date: 31 Oct 04 - 07:28 PM My sister sang a brief snatch of this today to me & my brother. Words as above but no more. Anyone know any more? |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... From: Snuffy Date: 31 Oct 04 - 07:36 PM They were only playing leapfrog |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... From: Jeanie Date: 01 Nov 04 - 02:39 AM The version I know (as sung by The Singing Kettle) ends each time with Glory, glory, hallelujah The smoke goes up the chimney just the same. Each time the song is sung, a line is silent with only the action(s) being performed, until the whole thing is done in silence with just the actions, then all the words and actions again very very quickly for the last time round. Another similar one (again courtesy of The Singing Kettle): Swimming, swimming in the swimming pool (swimming action + make a box shape) When days are hot, when days are cold (mop brow + shiver) In the swimming pool (make box shape) Breast stroke, back stroke (swimming actions) Fancy diving too (hold nose and bob down) Don't you ever think it's all you really want to do ? Oh.... and then there was this action song: In a cottage, in a wood A little old man by the window stood, Saw a rabbit running by, Knocking at the door. "Help me ! Help me ! Help me !", he said, "Before the farmer shoots me dead." Open the door and come inside, Pretty little rabbit. - jeanie |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... From: Flash Company Date: 01 Nov 04 - 10:38 AM Hi Snuffy, we used to sing on with:- We were only playing leap frog, we were only playing leap frog, We were only playing leap frog, And the smoke goe up the Chim-en-ney just the same! Still doesn't mean anything!!! FC |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... From: Dave Bryant Date: 01 Nov 04 - 12:25 PM Yes we sang the same as above. It was definitely "damper" that we sung. I can remember my dad singing something about "The Cookhouse Door", but I don't remember if it was part of "Push the damper in" or something else. Please don't mention "In a cottage, in a wood" anymore - we don't want to encourage "Mrs Admiral". |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... From: Little Robyn Date: 01 Nov 04 - 01:39 PM Here in NZ we sang the Star of the evening bit at Girl's Brigade camps back in the 50s, as a chorus to a song featuring nursery rhymes: chorus: Star of the evening, Pretty little evening sta-a-ar, Star of the evening, Shining on the cookhouse door. V. eg Little Miss Muffet, Muffet, Sat on her tuffet, tuffet, Eating her curds and whey, whey, whey, whey, whey, Along came a spider, spider, Sat down beside 'er, side 'er, Frightened Miss Muffet away away, away. You can fit most nursery rhymes to it. But we didn't sing about dampers! Robyn |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... From: dick greenhaus Date: 01 Nov 04 - 01:51 PM and I thought it was a thread about voting machines. I like it better this way. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... From: Snuffy Date: 01 Nov 04 - 07:04 PM Hi Flash Company, I think that originated in WWI with the PBI's jaundiced view of the wa**ers behind the lines One staff officer jumped upon another staff officer's back One staff officer jumped upon another staff officer's back One staff officer jumped upon another staff officer's back And the smoke goes up the chimney just the same! They were only playing leap frog, They were only playing leap frog, They were only playing leap frog, And the smoke goes up the chimney just the same! |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... From: Mr Happy Date: 01 Nov 04 - 07:15 PM it was 'damper' in my sister's version. She said she heard it from our mum, who knew 'snatches' of lots of songs, but never the complete rendition. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... From: open mike Date: 02 Nov 04 - 12:59 AM ditto..on the assumption that this was a song about voting machines or hanging chats or some such! speaking of dampers, and chimneys, i hear tell of a stone mason who was a chimney builder who set a clear glass pane across the opening until being paid, then dropped a rock thru the chimney to break the glass and free the draft. Until the workers were paid the house would fill with smoke...good incentive to pay up! |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... From: GUEST,Jim I Date: 02 Nov 04 - 04:27 PM If you ever see the film "The Foreman Goes to War" with Tommy Handley (c. 1944) they sing it with the orphan children they pick up as they are escaping the advancing Germans. The film seems to be on UK Tv about every couple of years. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... From: Willa Date: 03 Nov 04 - 01:46 PM 'push the damper in , pull the damper out' does make sense. Our old open coal fire had a handle (the damper)that could be pushed in/pulled out to control the draught, so to make the fire burn more quickly you pulled the damper out, to 'dampen down' the fire you pushed it in. |
Subject: ADD: Damper Song From: Joe Offer Date: 07 Nov 04 - 03:03 AM This is the official Cub Scout version. Since I am hopelessly uncoordinated, I don't do motion songs; so I didn't learn this one. -Joe Offer, retired Cub Scout song leader- The Damper Song Oh, you push the damper in And you pull the damper out And the smoke goes up the chimney just the same Just the same, just the same. And the smoke goes up the chimney just the same Motion: Push - extend right arm forward Pull - pull right arm back Smoke - curl right hand, two fingers extended, up in a spiral Just the same - full arm sweep to the right Just the same - full arm sweep to the left 2nd time - whistle tune with all the motions Source: Cub Scout Songbook, 1969, 1996 3rd time - do motions only with no sound Click to play |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... (Damper Song From: GUEST Date: 07 Nov 04 - 03:24 AM "From: dick greenhaus Date: 01 Nov 04 - 01:51 PM and I thought it was a thread about voting machines. I like it better this way." It should only be a matter of time until someone comooses a few lines as you have suggested, taking on the issues of the Diebold machines. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... (Damper Song) From: GUEST,Pork Sausage Mike Date: 07 Nov 04 - 12:51 PM I can remember singing the words sent in by Joe Offer at a pantomime in the Pavilion in Bournemouth UK about 60 years ago....early 40's A "Clown" was getting all of us kids to sing it.....just goes to show what useless stuff I remember from my school days. I can still sing it today but have no idea how to write it on a score!..never thought I'd hear anything about it at this late time in my life! PSM |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... (Damper Song) From: GUEST,Gadaffi Date: 12 Nov 04 - 09:37 AM Re- Little Robyn's version 'Star of the Evening', I heard my version from the late Fred Cottenham of Rusthall in Kent. Disjointed nursery rhymes - the lot, probably learnt in the army during WW2 (or someone billeted in the region). Never heard anyone else sing it, although hope to ask den Giddens shortly. Full lyric on http://www.mustrad.org.uk/articles/cottenhm.htm. One gentleman from Dartmoor told me another verse he had at the Sidmouth Volunteer one year, and it was disgusting! Any more offers? |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... (Damper Song From: NH Dave Date: 12 Nov 04 - 09:51 AM Here in NE USA, with the concern about heating costs, fireplaces usually have a built in flap, locally called the damper, which closes off the chimney much like the stone mason's pane of glass, to keep the warm air in the room from blowing up the chimney when the fire as out, and outside beasties like squirrels and birds from falling into the room at other times. This also regulates the draft/intensity of the fire much like the adjustable grill deliberately placed in the stove pipe of most heating stoves which serves the same purpose. These dampers are opened to get a fire going, and then closed partially to control the flow of air up the chimney or stove pipe, or completely when the fire is out to keep warmth in and outside critters out. Dave |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... (Damper Song) From: breezy Date: 12 Nov 04 - 09:55 AM waiting for 'Where be that blackbird be I know where he be etc |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... (Damper Song) From: Joe_F Date: 12 Nov 04 - 09:20 PM Cf. Ringtail Tom is the stuff, He's the boss around the town, And if you got your heat turned up, You better turn your damper down. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... (Damper Song) From: GUEST Date: 16 Jul 05 - 04:26 PM i've always heard - The rich get richer, the poor get poorer, and the smoke goes up the chimney just the same! Chorus Star of the evening shining on the shit house wall (repeat) Then you push the damper in, and you pull the damper out, and the smoke goes up the chimney just the same |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... (Damper Song From: GUEST,Bob Coltman Date: 17 Jul 05 - 11:19 AM From the late Gus Meade's indispensable Country Music Sources: The Smoke Goes Up the Chimney Just the Same, words and music Fred Chandler, 1901. It was recorded in Atlanta, October 1927, by Fiddlin' John Carson, reissued on Rounder 1003 and CMH 120. I don't have these but I bet someone else in Mudcat does. I thought I remembered it being recorded by Gid Tanner too, but I must be wrong as I find no evidence for it in his discography. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... (Damper Song From: GUEST,Bob Coltman Date: 17 Jul 05 - 11:23 AM And, of course, a search on the Lester Levy site may turn it up, or at American Memory. I'd do it myself but I'm rushing right now. Bob |
Subject: Lyr Add: SMOKE COMES OUT MY CHIMNEY JUST THE SAME From: Jim Dixon Date: 20 Jul 05 - 09:38 PM While looking for THE DAMPER SONG, I found 2 other songs that contain the phrase "smoke ... chimney just the same." Here's the first one: This can be heard at The Record Lady's All-Time Country Favorites, Real Country Page 32: SMOKE COMES OUT MY CHIMNEY JUST THE SAME As sung by Skeets McDonald The day you left, I pleaded with you, But you said you and I are through, That you'd never want to hear my name. You bit off more than you can chew. Now it's comin' home to you, And the smoke comes out my chimney just the same. CHORUS: Tell 'em I'm wrong. Tell 'em you're right. Tell 'em I'm gone ev'ry night. It makes no diff'rence if I take the blame. I got more women than the law allows. Baby, I don't need you now, 'Cause the smoke comes out my chimney just the same. There was a time my heart was true. Foolishly, I believed in you. I wish I'd never played your little game. Sure as the vine grows around the stump, Baby, you're the biggest chump 'Cause the smoke comes out my chimney just the same. CHORUS TWICE |
Subject: Lyr Add: SMOKE WENT UP THE CHIMNEY JUST THE SAME From: Jim Dixon Date: 20 Jul 05 - 09:41 PM This can be heard at The Record Lady's All-Time Country Favorites, on the page called "In Memoriam - Yodelin' Slim Clark": THE SMOKE WENT UP THE CHIMNEY JUST THE SAME As sung by Slim Clark (Yodel) Sittin' around the bunkhouse on a cold November morn, Most of us a-wishin' that we never had been born, The north wind just a-howlin', lettin' in the sleet 'n' rain, But the smoke went up the chimney just the same. Some were playin' poker, losing all their summer stakes, And some were stealin' cookies that the cookie chanced to make. The flunky choppin' firewood says, "You're drivin' me insane," But the smoke went up the chimney just the same. For breakfast we had flapjacks; for dinner, pork an' beans; For supper, a big chunk of pork that didn't have no lean. There ain't no use complainin', boys. There ain't a thing to gain. The smoke went up the chimney just the same. (Yodel) One day, we boys decided for to have some diff'rent chuck. We gave ol' Jim the job 'cause he always had good luck, And soon the pot was boilin' and the fragrance sure was tame, But the smoke went up the chimney just the same. We had beef and spuds and carrots, boys. It made a dandy stew, Along with chunks o' turnips that never did cook through, With sparrow-grass and onion that are noted for their fame, And the smoke went up the chimney just the same. Now, after we had eaten all the chuck that we could hold, Decided we had better rest and crawl into our roll, But soon we got the feelin', boys, that turned into pain, But the smoke went up the chimney just the same. Ol' Jim let in to laughin' at the way we all performed. He said he'd never had such fun since the day that he was born. He said he made a big mistake and the only one to blame, And the smoke went up the chimney just the same. He was puttin' in some seasonin' like most o' cookies do. A sack fell off the pantry shelf and fell into the stew. 'Twas a little sack o' hi-de-ho that caused us all a pain, And the smoke went up the chimney just the same. So now you've heard the myst'ry of the cowboys and their stew. Next mornin' all were grumblin' an' feelin' mighty blue. Ol' Jim was fryin' bacon an' a-singin' this refrain: "And the smoke went up the chimney just the same." (Yodel) [A recording by Wilf Carter can also be heard at The Record Lady's site, on Requests Page 15. It is nearly identical to Slim Clark's version, but without the yodeling. [Now, can anyone tell me what hi-de-ho is?] |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... (Damper Song) From: Mr Happy Date: 20 Jul 05 - 09:46 PM Clearly the last 2 aren't the same song as 'You push the damper in, & you pull the damper out' as there's no mention of 'Damper' |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... (Damper Song) From: Jim Dixon Date: 20 Jul 05 - 10:40 PM Here's an excerpt from a poem by Carl Sandburg called "Smoke and Steel," from 1922. It seems to be part of a larger work called "Smoke Nights."
Cross on the sky and count our years And sing in the secrets of our numbers; Sing their dawns and sing their evenings, Sing an old log-fire song: You may put the damper up, You may put the damper down, The smoke goes up the chimney just the same. ... |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... (Damper Song) From: GUEST,cynthia in australia Date: 04 Oct 05 - 04:35 AM Jim, my dad used to sing this to us when we were young. He sang it as " a little sack of "Idyho", which he says was a brand of chewing tobacco. ie Idaho chewing tobacco. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... (Damper Song) From: RoyH (Burl) Date: 04 Oct 05 - 03:05 PM This takes me back to my childhood. It is one of many nonsense songs sung by my mother and others in the family,including me eventually. We sang it thus........ You push the damper in, and you pull the damper out And the smoke goes up the chimney just the same. You push the damper in, and you pull the damper out And the smoke goes up the chimney just the same. Chorus;- We were only playing leap frog We were only playibg leap frog We were only playing leap frog When one grasshopper grasshopped across another grasshoppers back. That's all there was to it, you just sang on ad infinitum until you got fed up. The movements were the obvious push forwards and pull back, then on 'smoke' point the index finger upwards and raise the arm with a spiralling motion to mimic rising smoke. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... (Damper Song From: GUEST,David Date: 24 Feb 08 - 01:43 PM We were only playing leapfrog was the version I knew in the mid-late 1940's. My Uncle's who along with my Dad had been at the war, often used our home as a staging post on their way home to and from the forces whilst awaiting demob. We lived near a rail station and their family home was in the sticks some miles away, and they would sing that song to me whenever they were about.Years later they used to watch me play cricket and I used to recall that song whenever I saw them sitting on the benches around the ground. Thanks for the memory, albeit I am a bit late in seeing it and responding!! |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... (Damper Song) From: Bert Date: 24 Feb 08 - 03:18 PM You push the damper in and you pull the damper out and the smoke goes up the chimney just the same You push the damper in and you pull the damper out and the smoke goes up the chimney just the same Glory, glory Halleluiah Teacher hit me with a ruler Father hit me with a walking stick and the smoke goes up the chimney just the same |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... (Damper Song) From: GUEST,Lynda M Tasmania Date: 14 Jul 10 - 05:02 AM I can remember my dad and the rest of the family singing the Damper song at a Butlins Holiday Camp in about 1947 - I would have been about 5 at the time - and I can still remember the words now! There were a couple more, too - "Why are we waiting" (to the tune of "O Come All Ye Faithfull), and also "Walls Ices", an advertising song sung as a "round" to the tune of "London's Burning" (Walls Ices, Walls Ices, El Dorado, El Dorado, Icecream! Icecream! Come stop me and buy one!)This would have been after at least SOME rationing ended in the UK! |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... (Damper Song) From: Gurney Date: 14 Jul 10 - 09:16 PM Roger Giles, doyen of the Auckland folk scene, sings that bloody song. With actions, and interjections ("second verse!..third verse!...moral!..") until someone drags him from the stage. Usually me. There is only one bloody verse in his song. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... (Damper Song) From: bubblyrat Date: 15 Jul 10 - 04:27 AM I seem to remember,when growing up in West Sussex,England,in the 1950s, everyone seemed to have a Rayburn or Aga stove,often burning coke--they were all fitted with an airflow-controlling "damper". Plus ; "damper" was something we made at Scout Camp. A ghastly-looking paste was made with flour and water,then you rolled a stick in it until a decent thickness built up,then it was placed in the campfire until it went black,after which one was supposed to consume it with both relish & enthusiasm, so I left and joined the Sea Cadets instead (where the songs were better,more lurid, and much more graphic !). |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... (Damper Song) From: GUEST,gerry mccrudden Date: 15 Jul 10 - 04:48 PM Oh I have a little house,and it has a little fire and the smoke goes up the chimney all the time REPEAT... Cause you push the dampers in..and you pull the dampers out and the smoke goes up the chimney all the time REPEAT... Now on that little fire there sits little kettle and the smoke goes up the chimney all the time REPEAT... Cause you push the dampers in etc.... Now in that little kettle there is a little water and the smoke goes up the chimney.... REPEAT.... Cause you push the dampers in......... now in that little water there is a little tea and the smoke goes up....... REPEAT^ cause you push the dampers....... Glory glory halleluja,Glory glory halleluja Glory glory halleluja and the smoke goes up the chimney all the time ypu can add verses ad infinitum I still use this song when I perform in Raleigh NC at Tir na Nog the kids still love it |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... (Damper Song) From: Seamus Kennedy Date: 15 Jul 10 - 11:29 PM Thanks, Gerry. That's how I remember you doing it. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... (Damper Song) From: PHJim Date: 16 Jul 10 - 11:17 AM We sang the Damper song in Scouts when I was a kid. John MacIntosh, our scoutmaster, led it in his Scottish accent. Oh you push the damper in And you pull the damper out And the smoke goes up the chimney just the same Glory, glory Hallelujia And the smoke goes up the chimney just the same. Leave off one line at a time Oh you(make pushing motion with hand holding a damper) And you (make pulling motion with hand holding a damper) And the (roll hands over each other) (Make a motion like you're whirling a noismaker over your head) And the (roll hands over each other) The last time through you double the speed of the song and sing: Oh you And you And the And the |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... (Damper Song) From: PHJim Date: 19 Jul 10 - 11:23 AM As kids we thought it was funny to sing: Oh you push the damn thing in And you pull the damn thing out And the smoke goes up the chimney... |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... (Damper Song) From: GUEST,Andrew Date: 24 Mar 11 - 12:42 PM At a camp I attended we would sing the song through, then begin to omit sections but still do the motions. You push the damper out, you pull the damper in, the smoke goes up the chimney just the same. Just the same, just the same. The smoke goes up the chimney just the same. [hand motion] you pull the damper in, the smoke goes up the chimney just the same...etc. Quite funny as a little kid. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... (Damper Song) From: Jim Dixon Date: 28 Mar 11 - 01:06 AM The British Library has sheet music described thus: BUT THE SMOKE GOES UP THE CHIMNEY JUST THE SAME. [Song.]. Author: Harry Conor Publisher: [New York] : M. Witmark & Sons, [1901.] And another song: THE SMOKE GOES UP THE CHIMNEY JUST THE SAME. Words by A. J. Mills and J. P. Long. Music by Bennett Scott. Publisher: London : Star Music Publishing Co., ©1917. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... (Damper Song) From: Mr Happy Date: 10 Apr 12 - 12:18 PM While in North Wales last weekend, someone sang this song in Welsh. Anyone have the Welsh version? |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... (Damper Song) From: Mr Happy Date: 11 Apr 12 - 07:11 AM Anybody? |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You push the lever in... (Damper Song) From: GUEST Date: 19 Jul 13 - 11:41 AM This has been sung for generations by my family I remember it as a child <3 <3 You push the damper in and you pull the damper out... And the smoke goes up the chimney just the same You push the damper in and you pull the damper out... And the smoke goes up the chimney just the same Star ar of the evening shinning on the cooker door or or Star ar of the evening shinning on the cooker doooooor..... |
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