In addition to the fine piano leg parody by Biggs Tinker, I sing an equally good one written by Sarah Newcomb and Shari Ajemian (of Boston, Mass.) called John "Broken Token" Reilly. It's published in Sarah and Shari's terrific book, "Partially Sage," which is well worth having for its wonderful collection of very clever parodies of many songs and song types.

JOHN "BROKEN TOKEN" REILLY
(c) Sarah Newcomb and Shari Ajemian

Here comes John Reilly along the road
Oh no, say no
Approaches the maid like the wind that blowed
Oh no, say no
He says, "pretty maid will you marry me,
for I've just come off of the raving sea,
and I wouldn't mind such a maid as thee,"
Oh no. Oh no, oh not again.

This maid fix-ed him with a steely eye
Oh no, say no
Says: "I have a love, if he did not die"
Oh no, say no.
"And he's been gone for seven long years,
And left me here with nought but tears,
And have you come to found my fears?"
Oh no. Oh no, oh not again.

"Well what if your love has been drowned at sea?"
Oh no, say no.
"Or is married and living in Kentucky?"
Oh no, say no.
"Or what if he's shot or run over or maimed,
Or living in France with a different name,
Oh then would you ever be glad that I came!"
Oh no. Oh no, oh not again.

"If he's maimed or in France or in Kentucky,"
Oh no, say no.
"He still would be able to write to me."
Oh no, say no.
"But if he's killed, I'm so sorry," she said,
"For he was the guy who I wanted to wed...
In another three weeks he'll be legally dead!"\
Oh no. Oh no, oh not again.

Then he picked her up in his arms so strong,
Oh no, say no.
But she kicked his shins 'cause he done her wrong.
Oh no, say no.
He cried: "I'm your own, I'm your long-lost John!"
She said: "If that's true, you've deceived me! Begone!...
Besides you're the seventh to say you're the one."
Oh no. Oh no, oh not again.

Then he took out the ring that he always wore,
Oh no, say no
But the lock of her hair didn't match anymore.
Oh no, say no.
Her foot didn't fit in the same old shoe,
So off down the road he went, full of rue,
Singin' "They just don't make 'em like they used to."
Oh no. Oh no, oh not again.