The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #76104 Message #1348278
Posted By: Joybell
05-Dec-04 - 07:06 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Our Baby Died Last Night
Subject: RE: Origins: 'Baby Died of Spinal Meningitis'
I don't think you need to go too deeply into the minds of the singers of the "sick songs/sick jokes" to understand their motives. The intent is to shock, horrify and disgust. I think also singing/telling them has something to do with the bonding of a group - in this case kids and young adults. I very much doubt that it has anything much to do with reality.
Our interest in them is to do with a curiousity about their place in the study of human minds, I believe. I doubt if any mature singer actually wants to revive them.
Bawdy songs on the other hand are often very well-crafted and sing really well. There's one running through my head I don't care to repeat. Me being a lady and all. It's so full of wonderful images and singable phrases. "Roley poley .... Cheers, Joy