The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #148280 Message #3442082
Posted By: Steve Gardham
25-Nov-12 - 03:45 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Cobbler and the Crow
Subject: Origins: Cobbler and the Crow
Sheer curiosity, nothing more. I have this song in 2 publications, one in one of those BBC Singing Together booklets for schools, Spring 1965 where it is stated to be an English traditional song. The other is in Sing Together 100 Songs for Unison Singing pub by OUP, 1967. Both sources credit C. C. Birchard & Co.. Reprinted from 'Our Land of Song'. This source gives it as American traditional which is the more likely. The song is in none of my indexes or Roud or the DT. Can anyone come up with another version or better beckground info. It's not related to the Tailor and the Crow though it has similarities.
There was a merry cobbler busy as a bee
Lily, lily, lily, lily, lido,
When an old black crow came and perched upon the tree
With its qua! qua! qua! qua! lily, lily, lily, lily, lido.
Now wife you go and drive yon dusty crow away
Or he'll perch and croak till the ending of the day.
The cobbler's wife she tried to drive away the crow,
But the more she tried the more he wouldn't go.
Then spoke the merry cobbler at the close of day,
'If the crow won't go we shall have to let him stay.'