The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #76690   Message #1571523
Posted By: Tannywheeler
27-Sep-05 - 11:33 AM
Thread Name: Origins: Dunderbeck
Subject: RE: Origins: Dunderback's Terrible Machine(Dunderbeck)
This (to the 2nd tune Joe O. posted for us from MIDI) became a camp song. I went to a camp near Keene, NH in 1953, '54. The 1st yr. we had a boys 1 counselor ("boys 1"=oldest boys group; 14-17yrs old approx.)named Dick Dran, who was sweet on the girls 2 (next younger group) counselor, Gerda. There was also a male counselor who supervised woodworking named Thornberry, so he became Thorny.

cho: Oh Mr. Dran, oh Mr. Dran-
    How could you be so mean,
    To ever have invented the childrensmeat machine??
    Now all the Glenbrook campers
    Will never more be seen.
    They'll all be ground to childrensmeat
    In Mr. Dran's machine!!!
I've forgotten the 1st verse, but something about Mr. Dran going on a mechanical spree and turning out the machine. Then we got:

v.2: Thorny went out walking--
    He walked into a store.
    He bought a pound of childrensmeat
    And set it on the floor.
    Thorny started whistlin'.
    He whistled up a tune--
    And all the Glenbrook campers
    Went dancin' round the room!
      (cho)
v.3: One day the darn thing busted.
    It wouldn't work at all.
    And out came Mr. Durango(seemed to fit the timing better)
    To give it an overhaul.
    Gerda was having nightmares--
    A-walkin' in her sleep--
    She gave the crank a helluva yank,
    And Mr. Dran was meat!!
    (cho.)
This camp had a drink; clear red liquid, fruity flavor, some sweetness. It went by the name of "bug juice". We loved it. We used to go blueberry picking on a hill called "Pack Monadnock", because it was close to Mt. Monadnock, I think.

Oh, the memories and faces swimming in my mind. God bless whoever brought this song up. Gotta go for the kleenex.       Tw