In the States and Canada, everyone heard Rudy Vallee sing this song, and no drunken sing was ever without it. Kids, as I was, sang in imitation of the Vallee version, and one that twisted the words somewhat- I can't remember the singer.

Never heard the childrens' rhyme mentioned by guest- could you please post it?

Charlie, all of us sang the line and never thought much about it. Now you point it out and I wonder--- were only unsuccessful suitors treated in that fashion? Did undertakers get art training in incising a sketch of a turtle dove on a corpse? Were hairy chests shaved before the incision?