The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #122263   Message #2715220
Posted By: MGM·Lion
03-Sep-09 - 04:17 AM
Thread Name: Upon a tree a cuckoo/Auf einem Baum ein Kuckuck
Subject: ADD: Upon a Tree a Cuckoo
I learned the following many years ago from a small boy who told me the boys sang it at his school. I had thought of putting it on the 'Favourite nonsense chorus' thread, but Search yielded me this thread, where I thin it belongs. The chorus, line 2 of each verse, I have transcribed as best I can: line 4 of each verse consisted, not just of a pause but of an emphatic double-nod which my informant assured me was always part of the rendition, followed by a highly emphasised monosyllable — as follows:—

UPON A TREE A CUCKOO

Upon a tree a cuckoo
Hi to my rinktum rucksack ticker man gee
Upon a tree a cuckoo
[non - nod] SAT

Along there came a hunter
Hi to me.......
Along there came a hunter
[nod - nod] FAT

He swore he'd have that cuckoo
Hi to me ....
He swore he'd have that cuckoo
[nod - nod] ROAST

Upon a slice of buttered
Hi to me ....
Upon a slice of buttered
[nod - nod] TOAST

That night that hunter's dreams were
Hi to me .....
That night that hunter's dreams were
[nod - nod] SPOILED

He swore he'd have his next cuckoo
Hi to me ...
He swore he'd have his next cuckoo
[nod - nod] BOILED

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