Lyr Req: Cockney Sparrow? / Eros (Sydney Carter)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cockney Sparrow? / Eros (Sydney Carter)
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 13 Nov 15 - 11:35 AM

From Wikipedia; Although the statue is generally known as Eros, it was created as an image of his twin brother, Anteros, who, as "The God of Selfless Love", was deemed to represent the philanthropic 7th Earl of Shaftesbury suitably. Sculptor Alfred Gilbert described Anteros as portraying "reflective and mature love, as opposed to Eros or Cupid, the frivolous tyrant."

Following the unveiling there were numerous complaints. Some felt it was sited in a vulgar part of town (the theatre district), and others felt that it was too sensual as a memorial for a famously sober and respectable Earl. Some of the objections were tempered by renaming the statue as The Angel of Christian Charity.

However the name never became widely known and the statue became generally known as Eros, the god of sensual love; quite inappropriate to commemorate the Earl, but just right to signify the carnal neighbourhood of London, into which Soho had developed.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cockney Sparrow? / Eros (Sydney Carter)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 13 Nov 15 - 10:57 AM

The Folk Process rules !! I learnt it in the sixtiess as 'Davy Crockett'

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cockney Sparrow? / Eros (Sydney Carter)
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 13 Nov 15 - 04:39 AM

William came to conquer us, then we got the Yanks, sir;
So, if you look like Georgie Bush, then you know who to thank, sir.


Course, Sydney Carter didn't write "Georgie Bush"; on another thread somebody suggested "Uncle Ike". Other presidents are available, as they say - although bringing Obama into it would put a different spin on that verse!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cockney Sparrow? / Eros (Sydney Carter)
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Nov 15 - 04:03 AM

I remember hearing the Spinners sing it in concert at the Festival Hall on more than one occasion, but I have never found it on any of their recordings. A pity.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cockney Sparrow? / Eros (Sydney Carter)
From: Snuffy
Date: 07 Nov 13 - 09:27 AM

And, in case anyone hasn't worked it out - the tune is "Yankee Doodle"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cockney Sparrow?
From: GUEST,ERIC
Date: 06 Nov 13 - 10:42 AM

The lyrics you are searching for ( COCKNEY SPARROW ) is or was performed by the Liverpool folk group THE SPINNERS ,and the song title is EROS and is on Vynal LP titled   Heres to you from the SPINNERS which you will find on E bay UK

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cockney Sparrow?
From: GUEST,ERIC
Date: 06 Nov 13 - 10:05 AM

I have heard this folk song played and sung by the liverpool folk group the Spinners .Its rare and i am sure will be recorded on an LP I used to have this song on a tape . The chorus you wrote is correct .
hope you find it .

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cockney Sparrow?
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 04:56 PM

Probably because they won't allow us to feed the pigeons. There won't be any pickings for the sparrows to steal from them.
Of course we're happy with a few bits of bread...
Quack!
Geoff the Duck.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cockney Sparrow?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 04:40 PM

The sad thing is London Sparrows are a lot scarcer than they were when this song was written. Nobody seems to know why.

Subject: Lyr Add: EROS (Sydney Carter)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 02:49 PM

Dave Bryant posted these lyrics in a BS thread. Since they'd be hard to find there, I'll copy them here:

EROS
Sydney Carter

Me father was a Cupid and me mother pushed a barrer.
I was born in Piccadilly, with a bow and arrer.

CHORUS: One leg up and one leg down like an old cock sparrer,
Flying over Piccadilly with me bow and arrer.

Caesar came to London Town, thought the girls were pretty.
Look at all those Roman noses, walking round the City.

Up the river came a load of whiskers long and flaxen.
If your eyes are china blue, then blame it on a Saxon.

Up the river came a Viking, out for blood and thunder,
Saw a lady to his liking, then began to plunder.

William came to conquer us, then we got the Yanks, sir;
So, if you look like Georgie Bush, then you know who to thank, sir.

I've got feathers on me back, and arrers in me quiver,
Just because me father came a-flying up the river.

Where's your Cockney pedigree? I'm surprised you asked it.
Everybody's been and put a bun into the basket.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cockney Sparrow?
From: GRex
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 08:12 AM

Many thanks Geoff. I have tried searching for the lyrics several times without success.

      GRex

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cockney Sparrow?
From: GUEST,Geoff the Duck
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 05:13 AM

Sounds like a song written by Sydney Carter (he of Lord of the Dance fame). The song is about (or from the viewpoint of) the statue known as Eros In Picadilly Circus.
Beyond that, it is so long since I last heard it that I do not recall much else.

Just had a search - Try Here!

Quack!
GtD.

Subject: Lyr Req: Cockney Sparrow?
From: GRex
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 04:32 AM

Have heard this song at Sidders in "The Newt" and in the Ringwood Folk Club, (Hampshire UK). The chorus, if my memory is correct, goes:
      One leg up and one leg down like a cockney sparrow
      Flying over Piccadilly witrh me bow and arrow.

    Can anyone supply the lyrics please.

Being an ex Londoner, born in Plaistow many, many years ago, this song 'tickled me fancy'.