Dear Joe Offer,

Much obliged, and, mais d'accord, humbled, yet again. After my recent failures of scholarship, pretty much expected there'd be some version, encoded and enshrined in the Great & Wonderful D.T. Database.

But then, why have such a formidable truncheon if you can't beat ignoramuses like me about the head with it?! You Oxford & Cambridge folkies get some "esoteric-er-than-thou" jollies, and we benighted peasants get to sing some truly cool stuff --seems a right sort of bargain to me.

So, if nobody much minds, I'll just keep the dunce stool, unless I'm really feelin' ragged, in which case, I'll forward my muddle-headed queries through my friend, Mme. A. Mous, ("Nony", when at home).

Oh yes, and while we're on about this hallowed example of papyric-phonic folk-art,: derivative though they be, I'd fancy the later lyrics m'self, if someone's got 'em just lyin' about. Thanks again, and my scouting friends salute you.

Shula

P. S. Mr. Rose was the second husband of the famous vaudeville comedienne, Fanny Brice (real surname, Borach)...A musical version of this relationship was widely popularised by Barbra Streisand in the film, "Funny Lady", sequel to "Funny Girl." James Caan, you may recall, provided the rather romanticised Hollywood version of Rose. Nice of you to give me a chance to redeem myself a bit!