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Songs about musical Instruments

John MacKenzie 31 Aug 22 - 11:41 AM
Reinhard 31 Aug 22 - 01:37 PM
GUEST 01 Sep 22 - 04:50 AM
Tattie Bogle 04 Sep 22 - 07:49 PM
PHJim 06 Sep 22 - 04:39 PM
Jim Dixon 21 Oct 22 - 05:39 PM
GUEST,Jo-Jo 22 Oct 22 - 12:34 PM
DaveRo 22 Oct 22 - 01:02 PM
Tattie Bogle 27 Oct 22 - 02:05 PM
MaJoC the Filk 27 Oct 22 - 02:53 PM
GUEST 28 Oct 22 - 03:50 AM
Acorn4 28 Oct 22 - 03:53 AM
GerryM 29 Oct 22 - 02:32 AM
GerryM 29 Oct 22 - 02:48 AM
Tattie Bogle 30 Oct 22 - 07:58 PM
Jim Dixon 09 Nov 22 - 12:43 AM
Jim Dixon 09 Nov 22 - 01:15 PM
Jim Dixon 09 Nov 22 - 11:09 PM
Jim Dixon 10 Nov 22 - 09:15 AM
Jim Dixon 10 Nov 22 - 07:21 PM
Planetluvver 10 Nov 22 - 07:38 PM
MaJoC the Filk 11 Nov 22 - 09:32 AM
DaveJohnson 29 Dec 22 - 01:56 AM
GeoffLawes 02 Jan 23 - 09:06 AM
GeoffLawes 02 Jan 23 - 09:17 AM
The Sandman 24 Oct 25 - 01:05 PM
GUEST,John P 25 Oct 25 - 12:22 AM
GerryM 26 Oct 25 - 09:34 PM
GerryM 26 Oct 25 - 09:49 PM
GerryM 26 Oct 25 - 09:54 PM
GerryM 26 Oct 25 - 10:06 PM
Acorn4 27 Oct 25 - 05:18 AM
Tattie Bogle 30 Oct 25 - 05:49 AM
GUEST,Oriel Wynn-Dawe 30 Oct 25 - 06:22 AM
GUEST,gillymor 30 Oct 25 - 07:15 AM
GUEST,Oriel Wynn-Dawe 30 Oct 25 - 05:07 PM
FreddyHeadey 04 Nov 25 - 07:45 AM
GUEST,Steve Shaw 04 Nov 25 - 09:45 AM
Tattie Bogle 04 Nov 25 - 08:03 PM
GUEST,Steve Shaw 04 Nov 25 - 08:27 PM
Manitas_at_home 05 Nov 25 - 12:15 AM
GUEST,Oriel Wynn-Dawe 05 Nov 25 - 03:05 PM
GUEST,Steve Shaw 05 Nov 25 - 04:29 PM
GUEST,Steve Shaw 05 Nov 25 - 04:40 PM
GUEST,PMB 07 Nov 25 - 05:45 AM
GUEST,PMB 07 Nov 25 - 05:57 AM
GUEST,Ozmacca 07 Nov 25 - 08:25 AM
Roger the Skiffler 07 Nov 25 - 09:17 AM
Roger the Skiffler 07 Nov 25 - 09:36 AM
Roger the Skiffler 07 Nov 25 - 10:08 AM
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Subject: RE: Songs about Musical Instruments
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 31 Aug 22 - 11:41 AM

There seems to be a confusion between songs that mention musical instruments and songs about musical instruments, which is what the thread title asked for.


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Subject: RE: Songs about Musical Instruments
From: Reinhard
Date: 31 Aug 22 - 01:37 PM

It's the same with all these senseless "songs about ..." threads. When someone accidentally farted in one month, they'll be added to the songs about that month's thread.


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Subject: RE: Songs about Musical Instruments
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Sep 22 - 04:50 AM

Maybe confusion could have been avoided if the original poster had indicated the reason for asking.

But point taken; me bad. I shall away to some place of isolation and self-flagellate with a stick of organically grown celery.


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Subject: RE: Songs about Musical Instruments
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 04 Sep 22 - 07:49 PM

Don’t play me your concertina: Les Barker: to the tune of “Don’t cry for me Argentina”.
And a couple of songs by my good friend George Machray:
There’s No Fiddlers Like Folk Fiddlers - to a well-known tune from a musical, and
Charlotte’s Violin


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Subject: RE: Songs about Musical Instruments
From: PHJim
Date: 06 Sep 22 - 04:39 PM

All of the songs that mention musical instruments are useful to me. I am hosting a week of ukulele songs on the Ukulele Underground website and I get to choose the topic. In order to avoid repeating a topic from the previous 551 weeks, I have chosen songs about musical instruments, but any song that mentions an instrument will be acceptable. Since I am the host, I get to make the rules.
Many thanks for all of the suggestions.


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Subject: Lyr Add: SQUEEZE BOX (Pete Townshend/The Who)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 21 Oct 22 - 05:39 PM

SQUEEZE BOX
Words and music by Pete Townshend
As recorded by The Who on “The Who By Numbers” (1975)

Mama's got a squeeze box she wears on her chest,
But when Daddy comes home, he never gets no rest

CHORUS: 'Cause she's playin’ all night, and the music's all right.
Mama's got a squeeze box; Daddy never sleeps at night.

Well, the kids don't eat and the dog can't sleep.
There's no escape from the music in the whole damn street. CHORUS

She goes in and out and in and out
And in and out and in and out. CHORUS

She goes, “Squeeze me, come on and squeeze me!
Come on and tease me like you do.
I'm so in love with you!”
Mama's got a squeeze box; Daddy never sleeps at night.

She goes in and out and in and out
And in and out and in and out. CHORUS


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Subject: RE: Songs about Musical Instruments
From: GUEST,Jo-Jo
Date: 22 Oct 22 - 12:34 PM

A Battered Old Guitar"
by Dennis Homes


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Subject: RE: Songs about Musical Instruments
From: DaveRo
Date: 22 Oct 22 - 01:02 PM

Les Barker did a parody of Rosedale Fair which is unkind to banjos - or perhaps to banjo players. June Tabor sings it. Words here:
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=26153#313006

Les also wrote "He was an armadillo, she was a concertina." - but that's not a song.


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Subject: RE: Songs about Musical Instruments
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 27 Oct 22 - 02:05 PM

Yes, the Roseville (sp) Fair song is hilarious! And just shows that June didn't restrict herself to serious songs! But already mentioned by Steve Shaw back in August.

And another concertina song: Popo Picolina:
"All over Italy they play the concertina....."

Have we had "76 trombones" yet?? Or "Tubby the Tuba"?


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Subject: RE: Songs about Musical Instruments
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 27 Oct 22 - 02:53 PM

Tubby the Tuba took two sides of a 78RPM disc, with the first side (if fading memory serves) ending just after the frog has said "Hello (gung), Hello (gung), Helloooo ...." All these decades later, and I find I can reproduce the sound of a frog swallowing his tonsils.


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Subject: RE: Songs about Musical Instruments
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Oct 22 - 03:50 AM

https://davetaylor1.bandcamp.com/track/when-grandpa-played-the-banjo


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Subject: RE: Songs about Musical Instruments
From: Acorn4
Date: 28 Oct 22 - 03:53 AM

Sorry last one was me with cookie gone awol:-
https://davetaylor1.bandcamp.com/track/when-grandpa-played-the-banjo


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Subject: RE: Songs about Musical Instruments
From: GerryM
Date: 29 Oct 22 - 02:32 AM

The Old Accordion, by Effi Netzer and Haim Keinan. The chorus, in Hebrew, goes

Nagein, nagein akordeon yashan,
Shirim shelo shamanu k'var mizman;
Nagein mikol haleiv –
Im tip-tipat k'eiv –
Nagein, nagein li et hashir!

In translation,

Play, play Old Accordion,
Songs we haven't heard in ages;
Play from the bottom of your heart –
With a bit of an ache –
Oh, play me that song!

Recorded on CD, The Spirit of Jewish World Music / The Spirit Series Volume 9 by Hazzan Vadim Yucht.

There is a recording at https://youtu.be/adyFHrJMC5s where the song is preceded by two minutes of dance instruction.


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Subject: RE: Songs about Musical Instruments
From: GerryM
Date: 29 Oct 22 - 02:48 AM

Songs of the Bush, by Chloe & Jason Roweth, has a chorus that starts, "But I never learned how to play concertina." It's on the Us Not Them CD, One Man's Weeds – Another Man's Flowers. There is a recording in concert at https://youtu.be/nxl20ZkTOps


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Subject: RE: Songs about Musical Instruments
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 30 Oct 22 - 07:58 PM

Glasgow Dan, the old melodeon man, sung by Gaberlunzie, written by Gordon Menzies of said duo
This song is perhaps more about the life history of the man, than his instrument however.


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Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN PAPA PLAYED THE DOBRO (Johnny Cash)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Nov 22 - 12:43 AM

This was mentioned by PHJim on 23-Aug-22, but it hasn’t been posted at Mudcat before now.


WHEN PAPA PLAYED THE DOBRO
As recorded by Johnny Cash on “Ride This Train” (1960)

My papa was a hobo when they delivered me.
We didn’t have a doctor ’cause he couldn’t pay the fee,
But when the goin’ got too bad, he’d ease his misery.
Papa played the dobro this-a-way:
And he’d go … [instrumental]

When company would come around, he kept the dobro hid.
He knew he couldn’t play the way the other players did.
Well, the guitar’s resonator was a gallon bucket lid,
But Papa played the dobro this-a-way:
And he’d go … [instrumental]

Though now that Papa’s gone away, it’s hangin’ by the flue.
The top of it’s busted and the strings are rusted too.
It won’t ever sound the way that it did when it was new,
When Papa played the dobro this-a-way:
And he’d go … [instrumental]


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Subject: Lyr Add: GOT A UKULELE (Loudon Wainwright III)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Nov 22 - 01:15 PM

I think this must be the song PHJim had in mind when he mentioned “The Ukulele Song” at the top of this thread. I don’t think it has been posted at Mudcat before.


GOT A UKULELE
Words and music by Loudon Wainwright III
As recorded by Loudon Wainwright III on “10 Songs for the New Depression” (2010)

Got a ukulele; now I’m not a ’fraidy-
Cat, in case I get a bout o’ blues.
Any event I get ’em, there’s no way that I’ll let ’em
Bring me down, no way! I’ll just refuse. (Believe me.)

’Cause a ukulele’s like a little baby:
You cradle it in your arms and you sing
A lullaby or ditty when you’re feeling shitty.
It will cheer you up; it’s just the thing.

Life should be bright and breezy; when it’s good, be light and easy.
There’s nothin’ hard or heavy ’bout a uke.
I don’t play bull fiddle; no mystery, no riddle.
Schleppin’ that thing, you look like a kook. (Believe me.)

Four strings made o’ nylon always put a smile on
Anybody’s face who’s feelin’ blue. (Yeah!)
When your mind starts slummin’, start a little strummin’
On your uke; you’re gonna feel brand new. (You gotta believe me.)

[scat verse]

Even though it’s raining, quit a little complaining.
Our roof’s not leakin’; nothin’s gettin’ in.
Yeah, this axe is a hatchet; there’s magic; you can catch it.
On your uke, you can’t lose; you just win.

Life should be bright and breezy; when it’s good, be light and easy.
There’s nothin’ hard or heavy ’bout a uke.
I don’t play the tuba; tubas do it to ya.
Just the thought of tubas makes me puke.

Kind sirs and gentle ladies, grab your ukuleles.
I suspect by now you know my song. (Yeah!)
And the next time that I do it, get down and get into it.
I trust you’ll always sing and strum along. (Gotta believe.)

I got a ukulele; now I’m not a ’fraidy-
Cat, in case I get a bout o’ blues. (Yeah!)
In any event I get ’em, there’s no way that I’ll let ’em
Bring me down; no way! I’ll just refuse. (Believe me, yeah!)


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Subject: Lyr Add: YOUR GUITAR (Richard Shindell)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Nov 22 - 11:09 PM

Backwoodsman mentioned this song back on 23-Aug.


YOUR GUITAR
As recorded by Richard Shindell on “Careless” (2016).

Your guitar has traveled far,
All the way from California
In a big brown box on an airplane
Way down to Patagonia.
So far south she's never been—
A change of season and a cold desert wind.
She must be wondering what kind of trouble she's in.

Just look at her; she's beautiful.
Her face shines with its own light.
No longer young, she's seen her years,
And I can see that you loved her truly.
She loved you and stayed by your side,
A constant voice all through your life.
All her sweet spots making you sigh.

My stranger's touch—she’s skittish still,
So I start out taking it slowly—
The familiar tunes to take her back.
First up: the Red River Valley,
To let her know she's not alone,
That I know something about leaving a home.
We settle down [on] Shenandoah.

And the wide Missouri flows out of your guitar.

And the wide Missouri flows out of your guitar.

Your guitar has traveled far,
All the way from California.


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Subject: Lyr Add: ON MY LITTLE CONCERTINA (Jim Garrett)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 10 Nov 22 - 09:15 AM

This song was mentioned by The Sandman on 23-Aug above. I normally like to get lyrics as close to the original as possible, but this is the only recording I could find.


ON MY LITTLE CONCERTINA
Written by Jim Garrett
As sung by Ian Page on YouTube.

Now, when I was a little boy and at my father’s knee,
He gave me such a wondrous toy, it filled my heart with glee,
With buttons at each end of it and bellows in between.
My father taught me how to play, and when I was sixteen,
I played “Rule, Britannia” and other songs less cleaner
While fingering the buttons and squeezing the box on my little concertina,
While fingering the buttons and squeezing the box on my little concertina.

I met a pretty little girl; she lived just down our road.
Her concertina she would play in hypophrygian mode.
She taught me third inversion and positions one to six.
She taught me each progression as she squeezed her box of tricks.
She played “Wolfgang Mozart Amadeus Ex Machina”
While fingering the buttons and squeezing the box on her little concertina,
While fingering the buttons and squeezing the box on her little concertina.

The Wedding March was on her mind and this soon led to strife.
I told her I was not inclined to play duets for life.
Her passions roused, she flew at me, then on the floor she sprawled.
She fractured her cadenza and straightway with one A chord,
She cried: “I’ll Tell Me Ma;” she sent me a subpoena
For fingering the buttons and squeezing the box on her little concertina,
For fingering the buttons and squeezing the box on her little concertina.

Now, when I came to quarter bench, the judge said: “This won’t do.
You cannot finger instruments that don’t belong to you.”
I said: “M’lud, now don’t be harsh; she’s played this tune before.
She learned her obbligato from the organist next door.
They played “Roll Me Over,” so excuse my misdemeanor
For fingering the buttons and squeezing the box on her little concertina,
For fingering the buttons and squeezing the box on her little concertina.”

The judge he was a kindly bloke and let me off scot-free,
So now I’m playing folk and blues as happy as can be,
So if you own an instrument, don’t keep it on the shelf.
Be proud to give performances and finger it yourself.
Just play “Twankydillo;” you’ll find it nothing keener
Than fingering the buttons and squeezing the box on your little concertina,
Than fingering the buttons and squeezing the box on your little concertina.


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Subject: Lyr Add: THE MUSIC GOES ROUND AND ROUND
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 10 Nov 22 - 07:21 PM

Gargoyle mentioned this song on 24-Aug above. You can hear this recording at the Internet Archive. This is my transcription:


THE MUSIC GOES 'ROUND AND ‘ROUND
Words by Red Hodgson, music by Edward Farley and Mike Riley, ©1935.
As recorded by Tommy Dorsey and his Clambake Seven, with vocalist Edyth Wright, on Victor 25201, 1935.

[I am omitting some patter.]

Oh, you blow through here,
The music goes down and around,
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-ho-ho,
And it comes out here.

Now, push the first valve down,
The music goes down and around,
Whoa-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho,
And it comes out here.

Now, push the middle valve down,
Hear that music go down and around
Below, below, below-ho-ho,
Listen to the jazz come out.

Push that other valve down,
Hear the music go down and around,
Whoa-oh-oh, ho-ho-ho,
And it comes out here.

[More patter, with some instrumental solos, then repeat the above lyrics.]

[This recording was the biggest hit, but there were lots of others. Most were published under the title THE MUSIC GOES 'ROUND AND AROUND.]


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Subject: RE: Songs about musical Instruments
From: Planetluvver
Date: 10 Nov 22 - 07:38 PM

I did not see

"Six String Orchestra" by Harry Chapin.

It deserves a ukulele parody (assuming one has not been written yet.)

Since I am already posting, he also wrote "Dance Band on the Titanic" though this isn't strictly about a musical instrument.


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Subject: RE: Songs about musical Instruments
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 11 Nov 22 - 09:32 AM

I can't see this having been mentioned yet:

(Mama's got a) Squeezebox, by The Who, from this thread

There's much discussion of it in other threads, too.


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Subject: RE: Songs about musical Instruments
From: DaveJohnson
Date: 29 Dec 22 - 01:56 AM

I Played Me Concertina
Sung by Arthur Osmond on an Edison Standard Record 1909
Recording from University of California, Santa Barbara Library
Available under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 2.5 License
Unearthed by Rob Willis; transcribed by Dave Johnson

Here is my abc version
X:1
T:I Played Me Concertina
C:Arthur Osmond on and Edison Standard Record 1909
C:Recording from University of California, Santa Barbara Library
C:Available under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 2.5 License
C:Unearthed by Rob Willis; transcribed by Dave Johnson
M:6/8
L:1/8
K:Am
E/-E/|"Am"A2A A2A|"Dm"F2 D D2 D|"G"G2G G2 G|"Am"E2C C2
w:1.This* con-cer-tin-a you must know I take with me where e're I go.
w:2.One* day whilst bath-ing in the sea some lad-ies had a game with me.
w:3.At* twelve o'-clock the oth-er night I rushed a-round to Doc-tor White.
w:4.For a don-key ride I went one day and in my us-ual care-less way,
D|"C"E2E E2D|C2D E2 E|"E7"E2A B2c|B2A "Am"A2
w:While I was sail-ing once a-broad my poor wife she fell o-ver board.
w:Those naught-y lad-ies sad to say they pinched my clothes and ran a-way.
w:When I got there and rang the bell, the doc-tor came and shout-ed "Well
w:I pinned my con-cer-tin-a to the don-key's tail and off we flew.
E|"Am"A2G A2B|c2B A2D/D/|"G"G2G G2A|B2A G2
w:I said "I am a sel-fish clown, I* can't stand here and see her drown"
w:"Give me my clothes I am dis-creet" but they stuck to them just like a leech.
w:please tell me sir what brings you here at* twelve o'-clock it's ver-y queer?"
w:I gave a shout as we set sail. He* jumped me up till I felt pale,
A/2B/2|"Am"c2 cA2A|"C"G2E C2D|"Am"E2 D "G"C2B,|"Am"A,3A,2|]
w:So I shut my eyes and sat me down and played my con-cer-tin-a.
w:So_ I walked down a-long the beach and played my con-cer-tin-a.
w:I_ said I thought you'd like to hear me play my con-cer-tin-a.
w:And_ ev-ery time he wagged his tail he played my con-cer-tin-a.


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Subject: RE: Songs about musical Instruments
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 02 Jan 23 - 09:06 AM

"I Played My Concertina" Arthur Osmond (really Arthur Gilbert = British music hall) 1909 cylinder    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L12JP1CdwD0


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Subject: Lyr Add: I PLAYED MY CONCERTINA (W David/H Lovell)
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 02 Jan 23 - 09:17 AM

Lyrics for "I Played My Concertina" from monologues.co.uk     https://monologues.co.uk/musichall/Songs-I/I-Played-My-Concertina.htm


I PLAYED MY CONCERTINA
Words by Worton David, music by H. C. Lovell, ©1909.

This concertina you must know I take with me where'er I go
While I was sailing out abroad, my poor wife she fell overboard
I cried, 'I am a selfish clown, I can't stand here and see her drown.'
So I shut my eyes and sat me down and played my concertina.

One day whilst bathing in the sea, some ladies had a game with me.
Those naughty ladies, sad to say, they pinched my clothes and ran away.
"Give me my clothes," I had to screech but they stuck to them just like a leech,
So I walked home along the beach and played my concertina.

Once in a pantomime in Crewe I played the Prince of Ranjipoo
One night my wife popped on the scene and saw me kiss the fairy queen
When I got home she glared at me 'You'll play that part no more,' said she
'Tomorrow night you'll stay with me and play your concertina.'

My wife was taken ill one night, I rushed at once to Doctor White
When I got there I rang the bell, the doctor came and shouted, 'Well?'
Said he, 'My boy, what brings you here, at twelve o'clock at night? It's queer.'
I said, 'I thought you'd like to hear me play my concertina.'

At the Grand Hotel my wife one night she went downstairs without a light
She said, 'Play your concertina, Joe, and then our room I'm sure to know.'
I played for quite three hours or more then she rushed in and cried, 'Oh
I didn't know the man next door could play the concertina.'

Last year to see the Lord Mayor's Show I took a little girl named Flo
'Now let me keep my hand,' I said, 'Upon your purse,' but she blushed red
Said she, 'You can't do that I fear, then she cried with a saucy leer
'My purse is in my stocking, dear.' so I played my concertina.

For a donkey ride I went one day and in my usual careless way,
I pinned my concertina to the donkey's tail, and off we flew.
I gave a shout as we set sail, he jumped me up till I felt pale,
And every time he wagged his tail, it played my concertina.

I recently saw a peculiar thing, a lady she sat upon a swing
A little girl was placed on high, to ring the bell she had to try
She hit the bell and it did ring and it did play God save the King
and I sat underneath the swing and played me concertina.


Performed by Arthur Osmond - recorded in 1909
Also performed by Sam Mayo (1875-1938)


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Subject: RE: Songs about musical Instruments
From: The Sandman
Date: 24 Oct 25 - 01:05 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok4BAGxERaU
Mexborough Memories · The New Mexborough English Concertina Quartet
wriiten by Dick Miles

    Interesting song, Dick. Can you post the lyrics?
    -Joe Offer-


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Subject: RE: Songs about musical Instruments
From: GUEST,John P
Date: 25 Oct 25 - 12:22 AM

Pat-a-pan

Willie, bring your little drum
Robin bring your flute and come


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Subject: RE: Songs about musical Instruments
From: GerryM
Date: 26 Oct 25 - 09:34 PM

Tumbalalaika isn't about a balalaaika, but the chorus (in English translation, from the original Yiddish) goes,

Tumbala, Tumbala, Tumbalalaika
Tumbala, Tumbala, Tumbalalaika
Tumbalalaika, strum balalaika
Tumbalalaika, may we be happy


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Subject: ADD: Der Rebbe Elimeylekh
From: GerryM
Date: 26 Oct 25 - 09:49 PM

Der Rebe Elimeylekh is a Yiddish song along the lines of Old King Cole. The Rabbi calls for his fiddlers, his drummers, and his tsimblists (tsimbl, or cimbalom, a hammered dulcimer). First part, in English, then in Yiddish transliteration:

DER REBBE ELIMEYLEKH

When Rebbe Elimeylekh
became very happy,
became very happy, Elimeylekh,
he took off his tfillin
and put on his glasses
and sent for his two fiddlers.

And the fiddling fiddlers
fiddled in a fiddly way
in a fiddly way, they fiddled.

Az der Rebe Elimeylekh
lz gevorn zeyer freylekh,
Is gevorn zeyer freylekh, Elimeylekh,
Hot er oysgeton di tfiln
Un hot ongeton di briln
Un geshikt nokh di fidlers di tsvey.

(The following part gets sung twice)
Un di fidldike fidlers
Hobn fidldik gefidlt,
Hobn fidldik gefidlt, hobn zey.


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Subject: ADD: When Veronica Plays Harmonica (part)
From: GerryM
Date: 26 Oct 25 - 09:54 PM

When Veronica Plays the Harmonica, recorded by Kay Kyser (and others). First stanza:

When Veronica plays the harmonica
Down on the pier at Santa Monica
When she gives out with Gershwin or Bach
The perch and barracuda come wigglin' up to the dock
The seals and haddock get aquabatic
When she plays on her chromatic
When she plays boogie woogie lobster flippity flop
She even made a submarine blow its top
When Veronica plays her harmonica
Down on the pier at Santa Monica


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Subject: ADD: Chopsticks (Peter Combe)
From: GerryM
Date: 26 Oct 25 - 10:06 PM

Peter Combe wrote a song incorporating the old piano favorite, Chopsticks (which is also the name he gave to his song). Where I write xxx it means insert the piano piece.

CHOPSTICKS
(Peter Combe)

I play the violin every morning
And every evening of every day
Suzuki, Bach, Vivaldi, Schumann
But really all that I want to play is
xxx

I play the grand piano
Practice my chords and scales and arpeggios
So boring and it drives my family up the wall
Dad says, "Why don't you play?"
xxx

I play the flute, the silver flute
But it doesn't sound much like James Galway
I wonder if when he was ten
Whether sometimes he was allowed to play
xxx

I'd really love to sing
A classical song or two at the opera house
And sound like Pavarotti
La la la la la la la la la la la la
xxx

(Repeat 1st and 4th verses)


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Subject: RE: Songs about musical Instruments
From: Acorn4
Date: 27 Oct 25 - 05:18 AM

The Devil's Man


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Subject: RE: Songs about musical Instruments
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 30 Oct 25 - 05:49 AM

GLASGOW DAN by Gordon Menzies of Gaberlunzie

His name was Glasgow Dan he was the old melodeon man
He sang his songs of peace and justice all across the land
He sang both rich and bold with a voice of liquid gold
Bringing happiness and teardrops to the eyes of the young and old.

Chorus
Glasgow Dan the Music man singing songs
And making music of his country

He was born in Glasgow town with the shipyards all around
He gained his education from the gutter and the ground
He listened and and he cried with the music of the the Clyde
Of the caulkers and the platers and the turning of the tide
Chorus

He was seventeen years old when he first took to the road
With a battered old melodeon and the sunlight for his load,
For forty years or more he tramped from shore to shore
Singing songs and making music of the country and its lore.
Chorus

He wandered up and down singing songs from town to town
At markets and in fairgrounds and places of renown
And all he ever seeked to is a bed and a bite to eat
And craic beside the ingle and a dram before he'd sleep
Chorus

He missed the mighty Boer and or the Kaiser's bloody war
Though in 39 they drafted him from his native shore
When next he saw the Clyde there was shrapnel in his side
And his songs were filled with sadness for the countless men who died
Chorus

His name was Glasgow Dan he was the old melodeon man
But his heart was surely broken by the cruelty of man
But with winter’s cloak around he just lay there on the ground
Since he died his old melodeon has not made another sound
Chorus


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Subject: RE: Songs about musical Instruments
From: GUEST,Oriel Wynn-Dawe
Date: 30 Oct 25 - 06:22 AM

I'm trying to find the song about a bassoon, in which, if I remember right, the ardent lover plays his bassoon under his love's window.


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Subject: RE: Songs about musical Instruments
From: GUEST,gillymor
Date: 30 Oct 25 - 07:15 AM

Gitarzan


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Subject: RE: Songs about musical Instruments
From: GUEST,Oriel Wynn-Dawe
Date: 30 Oct 25 - 05:07 PM

The three dots represent the singer imitating a bassoon - written 'poom poom poom' in the music.

The Bassoon
Quenton Ashlyn
I’m very fond of music, and I think it simply grand,
To listen to the instruments of a full orchestral band.
The cornet and the piccolo to me are quite a boon,
But the one I love the best of all is the good old deep bassoon.
Recit. When it goes … rich and deep … Oh what music! …
Chorus Oh isn’t it lovely … when you hear it go …
It makes me rejoice when I hear its sweet voice,
So tasty so …
Verse 2 Altho’ I’m very bashful yet I love a maiden fair,
But just because I am so shy I can’t my love declare.
One night I mean to serenade her ’neath the silvr’y moon,
And the instrument I want to play is the good old deep bassoon.
Recit. I shall go … to my love … ’neath her window …
Chorus Oh darling I love you so … and I want you to …
If you’ll be my … we’ll be happy for …
My own little …
Verse 3 And now I’ve learnt to play so well I find that my bassoon,
It does me good if I don’t feel well on a Sunday afternoon.
It cures a headache, stops a cold, kills beetles rats and mice,
It’s a perfect household remedy and so take my advice.
Recit. Have a dose … try some … for the …
Chorus When you’ve a slight pain in your … and you feel rather …
Just take some … with a spoonful of …
and you’re cured of your …


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Subject: RE: Songs about musical Instruments
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 04 Nov 25 - 07:45 AM

^ THE BASSOON (Quenton Ashlyn)
The second verse is played on this Bassoonists United Facebook post
"1906 and released on the British Zonophone label[X-42440], features Australian-born baritone Albert Whelan (1875-1961)"
www.facebook.com/groups/bassoonistsunited/posts/10158058020442576

sheetmusic
www.sheetmusicsinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/The-Bassoon-Humorous-Song.pdf


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Subject: RE: Songs about musical Instruments
From: GUEST,Steve Shaw
Date: 04 Nov 25 - 09:45 AM

Two from the inimitable singing of the great Peter Dawson (none of yer Dubs or Moody Blues please!):

THE LOST CHORD
Seated one day at the organ,
I was weary and ill at ease,
and my fingers wandered idly,
over the noisy keys...



PHIL THE FLUTER'S BALL
With a toot on the flute
And a twiddle on the fiddle-oh
Hopping in the middle
Like a herrin' on the griddle-oh
Up, down, hand around
And crossing to the wall
Sure hadn't we the gaiety
At Phil the Fluter's ball


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Subject: RE: Songs about musical Instruments
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 04 Nov 25 - 08:03 PM

Don’t forget to credit Arthur Sullivan (he of the Gilbert and Sullivan partnership) with “The Lost Chord”! A stirring work indeed.


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Subject: RE: Songs about musical Instruments
From: GUEST,Steve Shaw
Date: 04 Nov 25 - 08:27 PM

Yes of course! A place near us that we visit often is Pencarrow House, a couple of miles outside Bodmin. There's a piano there at which Sir Arthur composed some of Iolanthe. It's lovely grand old house with beautiful formal gardens and wild bits beyond (and an excellent tea room!)


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Subject: RE: Songs about musical Instruments
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 05 Nov 25 - 12:15 AM

https://youtu.be/VjA6bA1qtfQ?si=6Tzzahznp_V4e2ZU

Flanders and Swan, Ill Wind


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Subject: RE: Songs about musical Instruments
From: GUEST,Oriel Wynn-Dawe
Date: 05 Nov 25 - 03:05 PM

Thank you, FreddyHeady!


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Subject: RE: Songs about musical Instruments
From: GUEST,Steve Shaw
Date: 05 Nov 25 - 04:29 PM

A George Formby one that Mrs Steve told me about: "I told my baby with the ukulele"...

(This is the chorus):

I told my baby with the ukulele, I sung a song of Araby,
I told my baby with the ukulele, but she only laughed at me.
I played it soft and sad, she didnt care a bit,
And then I got so mad I swore Id make a hit.
So I told my baby with the ukulele, I bashed her with it over the head,
But oh! She was a pal, I only wish you could have seen that gal.


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Subject: RE: Songs about musical Instruments
From: GUEST,Steve Shaw
Date: 05 Nov 25 - 04:40 PM

Gosh, Mrs Steve's on a roll now! Here's the last cheeky chorus from Flash Bang Wallop by Tommy Steele, him and his big bass drum:

Hold it, flash, bang, wallop, what a picture
What a picture, what a photograph
Poor old Eve, there with nothing on
Face all red and her fig leaf gone
Clap hands, stamp your feet
Banging on the big bass drum
What a picture, what a picture
Um-tiddly-um-pum-um-pum-pum
Stick it in your family album


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Subject: RE: Songs about musical Instruments
From: GUEST,PMB
Date: 07 Nov 25 - 05:45 AM

Cosher Bailey:

I have a sister Anna
And she plays the grand pianna
She goes hammer hammer hammer
Till the neighbours say god damn her...

Now you know my sister Anna
How she plays the grand pianna?
Well she also plays the fiddle
Diddle diddle ruddy diddle..


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Subject: RE: Songs about musical Instruments
From: GUEST,PMB
Date: 07 Nov 25 - 05:57 AM

By the way, I can't play my favourite instruments, and there's a big list of them. Vielle, cabrette, harpsichord (though I was once père of a virginal), launeddas....


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Subject: RE: Songs about musical Instruments
From: GUEST,Ozmacca
Date: 07 Nov 25 - 08:25 AM

How about Bernard Cribbens'"One Man Band" which ended with .... Oh what a tangle / When he gave his encore / This one man band / Gave himself a big hand / And fell with a crash to the floor....
Followed by the comment...
Took the whole London Philharmonic to pick him up....


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Subject: RE: Songs about musical Instruments
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 07 Nov 25 - 09:17 AM

Kazoo song by Cab Calloway?
RtS


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Subject: RE: Songs about musical Instruments
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 07 Nov 25 - 09:36 AM

That last one from me may be a confusion with 'Yazoo'. There is "When Ezekial plays his old kazoo.
RtS"


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Subject: RE: Songs about musical Instruments
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 07 Nov 25 - 10:08 AM

I have an old music hall song in my head that I though was "My old kazoo" . Maybe "Old banjo"? There's a kids camp song "I used to play my old banjo.
I'll stop now.

RtS


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