Lyr Req: King Karactacus / Caractacus

Subject: King Karactacus (?)
From: Shula
Date: 27 Aug 97 - 10:43 PM

I'm looking for the words to a children's song called (?) "King Karactacus," a nonsense song about an oriental potentate whose entourage increases with each verse. Can anyone remember this oldie, and share the lyrics?

Subject: Lyr Add: KING CARACTACUS
From: rechal
Date: 27 Aug 97 - 11:06 PM

KING CARACTACUS

Oh, the ladies of the harem of the court of King Karactacus
Were just passssssssing by.
Oh, the ladies of the harem of the court of King Karactacus
Were just passssssssing by.

Oh, the noses on the faces of the ladies of the harem of the court of King Karactacus
Were just passssssssing by.
Oh, the noses on the faces of the ladies of the harem of the court of King Karactacus
Were just passssssssing by.

Oh, the boys who powdered the noses on the faces of the ladies of the harem of the court of King Karactacus
Were just passssssssing by.
Oh, the boys who powdered the noses on the faces of the ladies of the harem of the court of King Karactacus
Were just passssssssing by.

Oh, the fascinating witches who put the stitches on the britches of the boys who powdered the noses on the faces of the ladies of the harem of the court of King Karactacus
Were just passssssssing by.
Oh, the fascinating witches who put the stitches on the britches of the boys who powdered the noses on the faces of the ladies of the harem of the court of King Karactacus
Were just passssssssing by.

And if you want to see the fascinating witches who put the stitches on the britches of the boys who powdered the noses on the faces of the ladies of the harem of the court of King Karactacus
YOU CAN'T!
They just passed by.

That's all I remember.

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: alison
Date: 27 Aug 97 - 11:31 PM

Hi

I seem to remember it as

"Oh, the fascinating witches who put tantalising stitches in the britches of the boys ............."

slainte

Alison

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: Murray
Date: 28 Aug 97 - 01:18 AM

--But you have to start with "The King of Karactacus is just passing by" [three times], then [I have no court in my version, but you can have] "The court of the K of K is just passing by" [three times}, etc. etc. I haven't seen all those fascinating variations though.

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: Judy
Date: 28 Aug 97 - 02:54 AM

"Oh, the fascinating witches who put tantalising stitches in the britches of the boys ............."

I seem to remember it was scintillating stitches.

I have heard the song sung by Rolf Harris (The bearded Australian singer / wobble board player / painter)

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: Alan of Australia
Date: 28 Aug 97 - 03:05 AM

G'day,
Caractacus (I think the spelling is a bit closer) was a real person,not oriental. He was a native Briton and Roman citizen (I think) who attempted to defend his country against the invading Saxons when the Romans pulled out of England.

Cheers,
Alan

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: rechal
Date: 28 Aug 97 - 10:34 AM

I believe "scintillating" is the version I learned (20 years ago--yikes!)

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: Jon W.
Date: 28 Aug 97 - 11:25 AM

This page has a short bio of Caratacus - he was actually a Briton leader resisting the Roman invasion at the time of Emperor Claudius. I remembered something about that from the PBS mini-series "I Claudius." The person Alan describes sounds more like Ambrosius Aurelianus, also bio'ed on the same page.

Not to beat a dead horse, or anything.

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: Alan of Australia
Date: 28 Aug 97 - 11:41 AM

Don't you just hate it when you make a mistake & can't get back on for hours? Jon, you are right of course, at least I spelt it right :) and got the right country. Oh well, it's been a long time and memory fades. (Stick to Electronics Alan, you're a better engineer than historian.)

Wes Hael,
Alan

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: Earl
Date: 28 Aug 97 - 12:36 PM

rechal, I'm pretty sure I heard that song at least 30 year ago.

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: Shula
Date: 28 Aug 97 - 05:23 PM

Bless you all!

Alrighty then, now that we have some lyrics, could someone possibly refresh my memory of the tune? (Perhaps a recording, somewhere?)

Thanks to: Rechal, for the whole megillah! Allison, for "stitches." Murray, for Intro. Judy, for "scintillating." (Sounds right to me, too!) Alan of A., for spell check and bio. (Surprised to know he was a Brit.; recently informed Wenceslas wasn't! Scandalous,eh? 'Pon my word! Zut Alors!) Jon W., for the dandy history page.

Now, Earl -- Tsk! Tsk! What has the world come to when a lady can no longer promulgate a gentle fiction regarding the vintage of her memories?!

Thanks, again, to everyone! Shula

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: Earl
Date: 28 Aug 97 - 05:57 PM

I thought she must have learned it from her mother.

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: Shula
Date: 28 Aug 97 - 06:27 PM

Earl: Nice save!

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: Susan of DT
Date: 28 Aug 97 - 06:33 PM

Thanx Jon and Alan. As I read the first postings, I was going to put in the historic note. I bookmarked that page, Jon, it's lovely.

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: dusterjim
Date: 13 Sep 97 - 03:33 PM

I learned this song a few years back from Richard Mitchell a friend from Canada. He told me that he had learned it from a friend in Australia. When I first heard it, I asked him to write the words down for me, but he told me that you never write the words down, you just learn them. He repeated each verse three times, increasing the speed each time until at the last, he went through it at breakneck speed. I have carried on with the no writing thing (because it's fun to see people try to learn it by singing it),but it would be interesting to see the original words just to see how much it has changed. The verses that I have are just slightly different than the ones that I see here. For one (do I dare write it down) I have stichilating.

dusterjim

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: Shula
Date: 14 Sep 97 - 06:29 AM

Dear Dusterjim:

Do, please, let's have your version, (unless actual religious scruple bars you from enscription)! Thanks.

Shula

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: Jon W.
Date: 15 Sep 97 - 11:55 AM

Yeah, and if you can't write it down, record it in a .wav file and post it on the web somewhere. For pete sake, how are the rest of us supposed to learn it? Other than here at mudcat, I don't have any Canadian friends who have Australian friends. (shakes his head bemusedly)

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 12 Mar 01 - 08:28 PM

Jerry and Bev Praver sang this at their concert at my house Saturday. they attributed it to Rolf Harris. I'd say it's older. What's the facts?


-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 12 Mar 01 - 09:07 PM

What I've managed to find is "arr. Harris. Black Swan Music (Ldn) Ltd / EMI (P) 1965"  It appears that Rolf expanded a wee song that he found in a Scout campfire songbook; probably half of it is his, but I bet he'd tell you if asked.  Real Audio available at  The Court of King Caractacus by Rolf Harris

Malcolm

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Mar 01 - 12:02 AM

Caratacus was a Gaul (Celt) that sucessfully fought the Romans for a long time before he was finally captured, and, if memory is correct, took back to Rome and executed.

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 Mar 01 - 02:46 AM

I e-mailed the Webmaster at http://www.rolfharris.com/ so maybe we'll get a definitive answer.

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: wdyat12
Date: 13 Mar 01 - 03:20 AM

Malcolm, that was a first for me ever hearing that funny song. Thanks for the link. Alison and Judy, I agree with you, "tantilising" instead of "scintillating" would make for a better lyric. I enjoy naughty songs and your interpretation is much naughtier for me.

wdat12

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 13 Mar 01 - 07:45 AM

Caractacus was sent back to Rome as a captive but impressed the Romans so much that they gave him a house in Rome and a pension.

In the *BBC* series "I, Claudus" based on Robert Graves novels he was played by Peter Bowles.

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: Mr Red
Date: 13 Mar 01 - 08:27 AM

Er there was a ceilidh band who called themselves Caractacus Dyke - local to Cheltenham/Gloucestershire. I believe he was King of the Silurians (as in Welsh border/ Cotswold). Not sure if the Dyke was his surname or he built a ditch to keep out the marauding Romans or Mercians.

I can ask this Friday, ex members will be at the Cheltenham Ceilidh Club (3rd Fri) St Lukes Hall, if I can find it this time.

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: Penny S.
Date: 13 Mar 01 - 03:38 PM

I seem to remember he was betrayed by a Queen Cartimandua of the Brigantes, to whom he went for support/sanctuary. There was a biography in one of the Eagle/Girl stable of comics, I think.

Penny

Subject: RE: King Caractacus (?)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 Mar 01 - 03:44 PM

None of this historic stuff has anything to do with the song, I'll bet. The deep philosophical reason why Caractacus ended up in this song, is that he had a funny-sounding name. It's fun to know the history, though. I thought it was a made-up name until I saw this thread.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: GUEST,Dare not reveal my name!
Date: 13 Mar 01 - 04:56 PM

Rolf Harris recorded this some years ago

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Mar 01 - 05:02 PM

Thanks for the correction, manitas. Earlier than Josephus.

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: Manitas
Date: 14 Mar 01 - 01:54 PM

Dunno about Josephus (he was quite close in time to the events in question wasn;'t he?)but Graves based his novels on Suetonious(sp?) and such like writers.

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: GUEST,Pete Peterson at work
Date: 14 Mar 01 - 02:24 PM

Many Catters have heard the name somewhere else-- in Gilbert and Sullivan's "model of a modern Major-general" Gen'l Staley claims to be able to give you "every detail of Caractacus's uniform" . . . first place I ever heard the name and didn't think of it again till many years later when I saw Ian Fleming's "chitty chitty bang bang" where the inventor was (drum roll please) Caractacus Potts. . . later on in I. Claudius I found why the name might be a good one for Britons

Subject: RE: King Caractacus (?)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Mar 01 - 03:37 PM

Pete, you amaze me. Yeah, I've heard all those references, too.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: MMario
Date: 14 Mar 01 - 03:49 PM

so *THAT's* whose uniform he can detail! I've never quite caught that - and my nephew - who has played the part -- has always refused to tell me.

"Caractacus Potts" is of course also a refernece to "crackpot"

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Mar 01 - 04:17 PM

The King of Karactacus was recorded by the British music hall performers Rich and Rich in the teens of this century. It's on a CD compilation of music hall songs I have but don't have the details handy. The verses they sang were The King of Karactacus has just passed along.... The girls in the harem of the K of K have just..... The maids who use the puff to put the powder on the faces of the girls in the harem of the K of K.... The men who chase the maids who use the puff.... The bunions on the shooses (?) of the men who chase... When they get to the middle of this verse the performers fall apart with mutual recriminations about who screwed it up. It's pretty funny. --Jack McC

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: Mr Red
Date: 16 Mar 01 - 07:07 PM

Caractacus - was leader of the the local tribe (Welsh borders - probably Silurians), his celtic name was Ceradoc and he dug a ditch (dyke) to identify his territorial limits. somewhere up in the hills around Stroud. Caractacus was a Latin/Greek name given by the Romans. No more info as Judith (hammered dulcimer) preferred to talk of the band (still available for bookings.......)

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: dusterjim
Date: 07 Sep 02 - 06:35 AM

OK, after 5 years, I repent. Here are the words as I learned them:

Now the ladies of the harum of the court of king Krackacus were just passing by (repeat 3 times)
Now the men who put the powder on the noses of the faces of the ladies of the harum of the court of king Karackacus, were just passing by (repeat 3 X's increasing in speed each time)

Now the stimulating witches put the stichilating stiches in the britches of the men who put the powder on the noses of the faces of the ladies of the harum of the court of king Karackacus, were just passing by (repeat 3 x's increasing in speed each time)

If you want to take some pictures of the stimulating witches putting stichilating stiches in the britches of the men who put the powder on the noses of the faces of the ladies of the harum of the court of king Karackacus, (pause) your to late!, cause they just passed by (do not repeat).

Jim

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: kendall
Date: 07 Sep 02 - 09:20 AM

Bob Zentz is the only one I ever heard sing it.

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: Willa
Date: 07 Sep 02 - 09:25 AM

I remember it as 'the fascinating witches who put the scintillating stitches'- and Rolf Harris did record it.

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: Willa
Date: 07 Sep 02 - 09:28 AM

Go to Rolf's website http://www.rolfharris.com/lyrics/court.shtml
and type in 'Court of King Caractacus'

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: kendall
Date: 07 Sep 02 - 02:32 PM

Sounds like a certain crude limerick that I learned from mudcatter, Joan.

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 07 Sep 02 - 04:56 PM

A nice (and partly fictional) biography of Caradoc (Caractacus) here: Caradoc

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 08 Sep 02 - 09:32 AM

"Pictures" is pronounced "pitchas," no doubt.

The Rolf Harris link produces a "this page is not available message" so the tune is still in limbo. Any other suggestions? (I know a first grader who would love this song.)

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 08 Sep 02 - 01:13 PM

The Rolf Harris site has lyrics to 15 of his songs including those of "The Court of King Caracticus" but no music, except for a few clips from albums. Go to www.rolfharris.com and navigate from there to get the pages of the site.

Subject: Lyr Add: King Caracticus
From: GUEST,Wanda
Date: 08 Sep 02 - 03:38 PM

I've always seen it spelled "Caracticus." Is there an official correct (Karact?) spelling? He was a Roman, wasn't he (when the Romans invaded what is now England)? I don't recall Latin having a "k" -- but maybe his name got Germanicized.

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: GUEST,Robbyanne
Date: 08 Sep 02 - 09:48 PM

I saw lots of versions of words here, but no one mentioned the MOTIONS that go along with this song! I'm an elementary music school teacher in Alaska, and one of our favorite assembly songs is this one - you haven't lived until you've seen 500 little kids trying to keep up with all the motions as each verse gets faster and faster!! It's a hoot! Love, Robin

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 09 Sep 02 - 05:50 PM

Ooo! Robin, please describe the motions!

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: Mr Red
Date: 09 Sep 02 - 07:17 PM

Caractacus's dyke (as in earthwork) is definitely in the hills above where I live along with about three tumulii. With two hillforts close by at Harescome and Painswick. His fifedom was around here until he went to Rome as a parochial curiosity.

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: Snuffy
Date: 09 Sep 02 - 07:21 PM

I never knew he played the flute!

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: Mr Red
Date: 10 Sep 02 - 02:44 PM

Snuffy
well he probably did a spell of it .......... but it was more likely to be a Severndom being on the escarpement above that river.

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From:
Date: 24 Feb 06 - 06:12 PM

Where the fook, can I download this song???? Please, please, please email me with a link..... please, please, please..... Google, not, finding..... will to live, leaving.....

Subject: RE: King Karactacus (?)
From: Cluin
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 12:38 AM

Caractacus or Caradoc was actually chieftain of the Catuvellauni, a Gaulish tribe that migrated to Britain a few generations before his time. He unsuccessfully fought Claudius' invasion in A.D. 43, lost and fled to the west, living amongst the Silurians. He became leader of the western tribes' resistance, a kind of high king like Vercingetorix, and fought a very successful guerilla campaign against the occupying legions until AD 51, when he was forced to give open battle. His family was captured and he sought refuge with Queen Cartimandua of the Brigantes in the north. She gave him up to the Roman governor. Caradoc and his family were brought to Rome and allowed to live there in exile for the remainder of their days. He wasn't executed in public like Vercingetorix several years before.

More info here.

A great book, highly recommended, which slightly fictionalizes the events of Caradoc's life as well as that of Queen Boudicca (Boadicea) is The Eagle and the Raven by Pauline Gedge. The historical events and details in the book are quite accurate, from what we know. I picked it up in hardcover back in `81 and have read it and re-read it several times since.

Not that this has much to do with the song, but anyway...