'Peeing in Shanks' Joe Aitken song

Subject: RE: 'Peeing in Shanks' Joe Aitken song
From: Johnny J
Date: 20 Apr 25 - 12:25 PM

The song also seems to asociated with a Donald McGeoch.

This is a 1994 recording

https://soundcloud.com/donald-mcgeoch/the-porcelain-waltz-shanks

It's quite different from how Joe sings it but it is the same song!

Can anyone confirm if this is the original?

Subject: RE: 'Peeing in Shanks' Joe Aitken song
From: cnd
Date: 20 Apr 25 - 12:12 PM

Based on this website, the title appears to be "Porcelain Waltz". He put out a recording on his self-released 2010 album, Festival Favourites. Haven't been able to drum up a recording yet, but hopefully this helps guide someone along.

The refrain, per the Oak and Thorn website which provided the name: “If ye’re European, ye’re a-peein’ in a Shanks.”

Subject: RE: 'Peeing in Shanks' Joe Aitken song
From: Johnny J
Date: 20 Apr 25 - 11:19 AM

Shanks(Full name Armitage Shanks), the company manufacture toilet bowls, wash hand basins and the like.

Such pieces of furniture are almost ubiquitous "Here in Scotland".
:-)

Subject: RE: 'Peeing in Shanks' Joe Aitken song
From: keberoxu
Date: 20 Apr 25 - 11:12 AM

I'm not certain of the meaning of "shanks" here.

I'm familiar with the term "shank's mare"
in which "shank" comes from
a term for the lower leg bone, or shank bone.

Elsewhere there is talk of hand-made knives as "shanks",
I don't know about that one.

Subject: 'Peeing in Shanks' Joe Aitken song
From: Johnny J
Date: 20 Apr 25 - 10:50 AM

Elsewhere, there is a discussion about "shanties" which has degenerated into mentions of "chanties". Not quite the same thing.

It made me recall a humorous song which the late Joe Aitken used to sing a lot "Peeing in Shanks" but I can't fins a recording clip or copy of the lyrics.

It's very funny and I'm sure you can imagine what the song is about. :-)
Can anyone help?