The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #106810   Message #4045915
Posted By: GUEST,Liz
13-Apr-20 - 07:18 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Two sons were brothers
Subject: RE: Origins: Two sons were brothers
I remember my Scottish grandparents singing Andrew John/ John Andrew in the 60s and 70s. Their verses included "bought a shirt, they bought it on a Monday, John Andrew wore it all the week and Andrew John on Sunday."
"bought a horse and it was very thin; They had to plaster up its sides to keep its breakfast in"

And one not mentioned so far
"Now these two brothers went to war, They went to see how things is; John Andrew joined the 10th Hussars, and Andrew John the Kings's."

After that they died of eating fish and jelly, and now they are gone, I'm sure you wish them well. John Andrew he has gone to heaven, and Andrew John (long pause) as well.

It always had to be sung very seriously, rather lugubriously, which made it all the funnier.