Lyr Req: Scarlet Raygun (John Conolly)

Subject: Lyr Req: Scarlett Raygun (John Connoly)
From: oggie
Date: 17 Dec 07 - 02:56 AM

The joys of getting older! I used to sing this many years ago and kept a copy of the words. I now find that a) I can't remember all the words and b) I can't find my written copy. Can anyone assist please?

Many thanks

Steve Ogden

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Scarlett Raygun (John Connoly)
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 17 Dec 07 - 03:24 AM

Always thought it was written by Enoch Kent.
There is a vague chance that I have a recording of him singing it somewhere - if so, I'll transcribe it and post it.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Scarlett Raygun (John Connoly)
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 17 Dec 07 - 04:03 AM

According to the notes to Artisan's Paper Angels, the song SCARLET Raygun is by John CONOLLY.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Scarlett Raygun (John Connoly)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 17 Dec 07 - 04:08 AM

It was played on my radio show last Friday.

Go to www.sheffieldlive.org>schedule>"Thank Goodness It's Folk".

Towards the end of the first half.

Dave

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Scarlett Raygun (John Connoly)
From: oggie
Date: 17 Dec 07 - 02:04 PM

Many thanks for that link, transcription complete.

I stand corrected Diane, I've been cutting too many girl's names, and in the days I worked in the same organisation he was always known as John Con, hence the miss-spelling (apologies John)

All the best

Steve

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Scarlett Raygun (John Connoly)
From: GUEST,Jacqued
Date: 17 Dec 07 - 03:17 PM

Any good?

SCARLET RAYGUNS
(Send Us A Postcard – John Conolly CD)


I peeped in to say Goodnight and I heard my child in prayer,
Send for me a Scarlet Raygun that will burn off Daddy's hair.
Oh dear Santa, if you've got 'em send me bullets and a shell.
Last night Daddy smacked my bottom, send a hand- grenade as well.


I've seen the toys upon the telly, Tommy Gun and Action Man,
Lower gently down my chimney something nuclear if you can.
Battleships and radar scanners, missile, bomb and limpet mine,
Grandma says I've got no manners – she can be the next in line.


Send some crackers trimmed with holly for Uncle Fred on Boxing Night,
He's the one who's ever so jolly – fill 'em up with dynamite.
My walking, talking robot Teddy, he can fire a lethal ray,
Got my practice target ready – pussy scratched me yesterday.


I don't want a plastic soldier, I don't want one made of wood,
Now that I'm a little older I want one that bleeds real blood.
Send for me a "Johnny Seven" – that's a gun that can't go wrong,
I'll send Grandad off to heaven – he's been waiting far too long.


I peeped in to say Goodnight and as I heard my child in prayer,
I put away his Christmas presents – gold and frankincense and myrrh.
Christmas is a time for loving not to play that killing game,
I built myself a fallout shelter – wouldn't you have done the same?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Scarlett Raygun (John Connoly)
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 03:34 AM

Can't find my recording of Enoch Kent, but the one given above seems to be a much extended and up-dated version of the one I remember (from the early-mid sixties).
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Scarlett Raygun (John Connoly)
From: GUEST,old git
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 06:20 PM

I have a tattered copy of the words which John wrote out for me many years ago and if Jacqued's transcription is accurate I see John is up to his usual trick of constantly changing (updating?) the words to keep everyone on their toes (cf. "Punch and Judy Man")
Merry Xmas
geoff t

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Scarlett Raygun (John Connoly)
From: GUEST,Ruston Hornsby
Date: 19 Dec 07 - 12:26 PM

The lyrics sound right to me, I remember John Conolly's mother Vi always used to sing it at the old Royal Oak folk club in Grimsby without fail every Christmas. I also seem to remember John saying once that he wrote it in his younger, more idealistic days - presumably before he had children!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Scarlett Raygun (John Connoly)
From: GUEST,old git
Date: 20 Dec 07 - 10:55 AM

Ruston,
The lyrics are roughly the same...just the odd word or line has been changed.Mind you..I remember singing it at the Royal Oak a week after John had written the words out for me. Halfway through the second verse , Vi yelled out "you've got that wrong". When I pointed out that John had given me the words, she said "He always gets it wrong as well."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Scarlett Raygun (John Connoly)
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Dec 07 - 06:14 PM

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Scarlett Raygun (John Connoly)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 21 Dec 07 - 07:08 PM

Ruston,
The lyrics are roughly the same...just the odd word or line has been changed.Mind you..I remember singing it at the Royal Oak a week after John had written the words out for me. Halfway through the second verse , Vi yelled out "you've got that wrong". When I pointed out that John had given me the words, she said "He always gets it wrong as well."

The folk process in action par excellence I'd say!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Scarlet Raygun (John Conolly)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 23 Dec 07 - 09:01 PM

Though no one has said so, I reckon the tune must be SCARLET RIBBONS, right?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Scarlet Raygun (John Conolly)
From: Snuffy
Date: 24 Dec 07 - 04:52 AM

For SCARLET RIBBONS the tune parts are AABAB, but for this one I guess it's ABABABABAB

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Scarlet Raygun (John Conolly)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 24 Dec 07 - 05:07 AM

The tune is indeed Scarlet Ribbons. See my post above which gives details of how to get it via the podcast.

In fact it comes soon into the second half. Sorry about that.

Dave