The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #153739   Message #4059170
Posted By: GUEST,GUEST
14-Jun-20 - 01:03 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: You dirty little nipper . . .
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You dirty little nipper . . .
IT'S A LONG TIME SINCE THE QUESTION WAS RAISED, BUT I STUMBLED ONTO THIS AND CAN REPORT THAT BOTH PAIRS OF MY GRANDPARENTS WERE BORN IN THE 1870'S in West Ireland. They all used to sing the same lyrics:
"O, ya darty little divil, does yer mother know yer out,
   With a hole in yer stockin' and yer toes peepin' out?
   Ya'd better get yer boots on 'fore yer mama finds out,
   Ya darty little divil with yer toes peepin' out!"

I think my grandparents' birthdates and origins add authenticity to these lyrics, with an added touch from the use of the word "peeping", which was (and still is) common in Ireland and England for our "peeking."
I can remember the jaunty tune clearly, but can't think of any equivalent. It most certainly was NOT "Turkey in the Straw."