The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #169119 Message #4087018
Posted By: GUEST,Mike Yates
08-Jan-21 - 05:52 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Blind haddocks, deaf and dumb bloaters
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Blind haddocks, deaf and dumb bloaters
This is Johnny Doughty's text:
Live herrings,
Deaf and dumb bloaters,
Cock-eyed winkles,
Paralyzed shrimps,
Stiff-back whiting,
Hump-backed mackerel,
All caught fresh today lady.
Johnny told me that he had learnt the song from fish sellers along the sea front at Brighton. As I could not find any other version at the time, I assumed that it must have been a local song. However, now that there are other known versions, I am beginning to wonder if it is originally from print, or else from the stage.
You can hear Johnny singing it on the Veteran CD 'When the Wind Blows' (VTCD5CD).