Below are two field recordings and one commercial recording of 'The Old Red Flannel Drawers that Maggie Wore' (recording).  Compare this song with the children's song 'Willie's Underwear' (recording and text below).  


                 1.  Do you sing 'The Old Red Flannel Drawers that Maggie Wore' or 'Willies Underwear'? 
                 2.  If yes, when and where did you learn the song?
                 3.  Would you be willing to sing it for folklore purposes over the phone?

Any help is appreciated.

Sincerely,

John Mehlberg
john@mehlberg.com
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Afternoons:  314.647.3883
Evenings:     314.381.0492
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My website: www.immortalia.com
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• Field Recording - John Mehlberg Collection - See Notes.
  • Digital Recording - Vaughan Hully - 2005.01.30
    • Red Flannel Drawers That Maggie Wore [Fragment]  Time: 0:10
• Field Recording - John Meridith / Rob Willis Collection - See Notes.
  • Tape Recording - Various Informants - Disk 1
    • Maggie Murphy [aka Those Red Flannel Drawers That Maggie Wore]  Time: 0:22
• Summit Records
  • Up The Foc'sle - The Lower Mess-Deck Chorale Ensemble
    • The Old Red Flannel Drawers That Maggie Wore  Time: 1:27

  
   

  WILLIE'S UNDERWEAR  (recording)

  On the night that Willie died
  He called me to his side
  And he gave me his dirty underwear.

  They were baggy at the knees
  And they smelled like liver cheese
  Oh the dirty underwear that Willie wore.

  Oh I threw them in the sky
  And the birds refused to fly
  Oh the dirty underwear that Willie wore.

  Oh I threw them in the well
  And the rats they ran like....heck
  Oh the dirty underwear that Willie wore.

  Now Willie's dead and gone
  But his underwear live on
  And they're hangin' on the line for all to see.

  Now remember and remember well
  For you can't avoid the smell
  Of the underwear that's Willie's memory.

  Now Willie's dead and gone
  But his underwear live on
  And they're hangin' on the line for all to see.

  Now remember and remember well
  For you can't avoid the smell
  Of the underwear that's Willie's memory.