Lyr Req: Oh No John Parody

Subject: Lyr Req: Oh No John Parody
From: Snuffy
Date: 05 Mar 08 - 09:40 AM

Way back in the 60s I heard this parody based on a well-known version of "Oh No, John". Does any one have the full lyrics, or know who may have written, recorded or performed it? Here are some bits I remember:

We've been married for three hours
And I spy a small hotel
And my motor's overheating
Shall we stop and rest a spell?

Just so, John.
Oh John, if you say so

..... not to sign my maiden name.?

Just so, John.
Oh John, if you say so

All is not as I expected
I had really hoped for more.
Tell me, dearest, tell me truly,
Has someone been there before?

Oh no, John.
No John. No John, no.

........
Those damn mice get everywhere.

Just so, Jane.
Oh Jane, if you say so

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Oh No John Parody
From: Bryn Pugh
Date: 05 Mar 08 - 10:45 AM

This was written by a brilliant song-writer, whose first name was Tim. He played a nylon strung guitar.

I'll try to remember his surname - 'Burton' seems to ring a bell, but as that was my Equity Tutor's name too, I might be conflating the two. I can see Tim in my mind's eye, at the Manchester Sports Guild Monday night Singers' Club.

I seem to remember he was in Importing, and one night he sang a superb "catalogue" of goods to the tune of 'Delaney's Donkey'.

The final line isn't 'damn mice', as I remember - it was "bloody mice".

Quite so, Jane ; O, Jane, if you say so.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Oh No John Parody
From: Snuffy
Date: 05 Mar 08 - 10:53 AM

That sounds a likely candidate, Bryn. It would have been late 60s, at a club in the South Manchester / Macclesfield area. Probably a floor spot rather than a booked "turn", and can't remember whether it was solo or duetted with a lady.

I will defer to your superior knowledge as to whether the mice were damned or bloody - Oldtimer's Disease ain't what it used to be.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Oh No John Parody
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 05 Mar 08 - 02:10 PM

I did a great parody of this song for our tutor (called John!) when our counselling course finished some years back. I thought it was brilliant at the time(!) but can't find the darn thing now! :(

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Oh No John Parody
From: Flash Company
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 10:00 AM

Think the guy you mean was Tim Norfolk, who produced some brilliant lyrics in the '70s. I don't remember hearing this particular one, but recall a brilliant one called 'The Caterpillar and the Butterfly'

Included:-

When you are a caterpillar all you eat is bitter leaves,
But when you are a butterfly, then socially. you're in!

And ended :-

Here's the moral, never stop,
Crawling 'til you reach the top!

FC

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Oh No John Parody
From: Snuffy
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 12:54 PM

Would that be this Tim Norfolk of the Startled Insects?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Oh No John Parody
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 07:44 PM

Snuffy

Wow, that was interesting! specially as I'm in Bristol and a Massive fan - I'd assumed Massive wrote all their tracks - well, well...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Oh No John Parody
From: Snuffy
Date: 08 Mar 08 - 07:34 AM

Refresh for the weekend