Thread #72368   Message #2894636
Posted By: radriano
26-Apr-10 - 11:57 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: James M. Carpenter Shanties & Sea Songs
Subject: Lyr Add: NOTHIN' BUT A HUMBUG

I have heard that although Carpenter only recorded one verse and chorus he kept separate files of lyrics. So far I have not been able to substantiate the truth of this.

Here are the lyrics I have to NOTHIN' BUT A HUMBUG:

Well you're nothin' but a humbug
So they say, so they say
Well you're nothin' by a humbug
That's all I know

Well, a catfish grow on a huckleberry vine
So they say, so they say
Catfish grow on a huckleberry vine
And that's all I know

I said, you're nothing but a humbug
So they say, so they say
Well you're nothin' by a humbug
That's all I know

Well Dandy Jim from North Carolina
He's come home for to marry Dinah

I said, you're nothing but a humbug …

Well I never seen the like since I been born
Sailor on the fife-rail crackin' out corn

I said, you're nothing but a humbug …

One day the blackbird said to the crow
Why do you love your farmer so

I said, you're nothing but a humbug …

Well that's my trade since Adam was born
Scratchin' and a-diggin' up farmers' corn

I said, you're nothing but a humbug …

Said the blackbird to the crow
Don't tell those pretty gals all I know

I said, you're nothing but a humbug …

Well high and dry, we'll hoist her high
Hoist her high for a bulgine pie
full chorus twice

---

This song is not listed in the Traditional Ballad Index or the Digital Tradition. It's Roud Number 22905. As far as I can tell from Roud, the only source of this song is the version collected by James Madison Carpenter.

Recording by Geoff Kaufman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ny6VWokn_ZE