Law Officers in Songs & Children's Rhymes

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: Amos
Date: 15 Apr 08 - 10:09 PM

John Hardy and the Wild Colonial Boy and Waltzing Matilda all suffer from law enforcement.

Thanks for the kind words. That Ferret Song is one of my favorites.

A

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: Cool Beans
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 12:31 PM

From "Sing A Song of Safety," by Irving Caesar and Gerald Marks (1938):

Remember your name and address
And telephone number, too.
So if some day you lose your way
You'll know just what to do:
Walk up to that kind policeman,
The very first one you meet
And simply say "I've lost my way
And cannot find my street.
But I know my name and address
And telephone number, too."
And he'll be kind and help you find
The dear ones who wait for you.

(I learned this and other safety songs as a child in Brooklyn in the 1950s. Irving Caesar and Gerald Marks were noted songwriters whose compositions (not necessarily together) include "Tea For Two" and "All of Me.")

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: kendall
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 12:42 PM

I posted Duncan and Brady but something ate it.

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: Azizi
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 03:29 PM

So far, this thread includes songs and/or children's rhymes that mention policemen, police ladies, judges, traffic cops, magistrates, and judges. Also, we've mentioned songs and/or children's rhymes that mention deputies, highway deputies {which I suppose aren't necessarily the same as deputies}, and revenue officers.

Plus, we've mentioned, or listed songs that use colloquial terms for officers of the law such as cops, and LEOs, and peelers, and what! no fuzz? And I probably have forgotten some other law officers or terms for law officers that have been mentioned in the songs & rhymes that have been posted on this thread thus far.

But here's a type of law enforcement officer that hasn't been mentioned yet on this thread-the FBI.

Here are two examples of children's rhymes that were posted on this Mudcat thread: "Folklore: Play Ground Hand Jives" thread.cfm?threadid=102055&messages=44#2090519;

I Believe I Can Fly {Example #1}
I believe I can fly.
I'm being chased by the FBI.
It's all because of those collard greens
that I ate with those chicken wings.
I believe I can soar
See me running through that open door.
I believe I can fly.
I believe I can fly.
-elementary school age African American girls & boys in various neighborhoods of Pittsburgh, PA, 1999, 2000

Editor: This is a parody of R. Kelly's hit R&B song "I Believe I Can Fly".

{My comments about this parody is posted at 29 Jun 07 - 08:21 PM of that thread}.

**
I Believe I Can Fly {Example #1}

"(To the tune of I Believe I Can Fly)

I believe I can fly
I got shot by the F.B.I
All I wanted was some chicken wings
and a little bit of collad greens
I believe I can soar
I got a beaten at the geocery store"
-GUEST,Natasha Woods; 5/30/2007

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: Azizi
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 03:33 PM

Of course, the second example is Example #2.

Oh well, I guess all my mistakes in this thread are going to live on forever-or at least for as long as this thread is available to readers.

I guess it's the price I have to pay for failing to use the preview feature...

:o(

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: Dave'sWife
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 03:40 PM

There's an Irish Rovers song we used to sing as kids while playing around but it refers to an Irish or Irish-American term for policemen "peelers". I think it's The Man from Mullingar.

Peelers is a pretty common slang term for cops in my ethnic group even among those of us from law enforcement families. I don't recall ever getting smacked for it they way we might have for using American slang for cops such as "fuzz". of course, none of us ever called a cop a "pig" unless he was a close relative who had done something disgusting !

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: Azizi
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 03:41 PM

And before any English teachers pounce on another mistake I made in that same post- yes, I do know that comments are and not comments is.

Are there any songs about the Internet grammar police?

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: Amos
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 04:18 PM

I can't belileve it -- I just added a nice post which also got eaten. But, in any case, the sad story of Patrick Wright, who got in trouble and brutally mugged by John Law for having the wrong sort of pets, cand be found on this page.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE PEELER AND THE GOAT
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 07:55 PM

No one's mentioned the Peeler and the Goat - there's a version in the DT, but here's a better one:

Oh the Bansha Peelers went out one night        
On duty and patrollin' O,        
They met a goat upon the road,        
And took him for being a stroller O.        
With bay'nets fixed they sallied forth,              
An' caught him by the wizzen O,        
An' then swore out a mighty oath,        
They'd send him off to prison O."        

"Oh, mercy, sir!" the goat replied,        
"Pray let me tell my story O!              
I am no Rogue, no Ribbonman,        
No Croppy, Whig, or a Tory O;        
I'm guilty not of any crime        
Of petty or high treason O,        
I'm sadly wanted at this time,              
For this is the rantin' season O."        

"It is in vain for to complain        
Or give your tongue such bridle O,        
You're absent from your dwellin' place,        
Disorderly and idle O.              
Your hoary locks will not prevail,        
Nor your sublime oration O,        
For Peeler's Act will you transport,        
On your own information O."        

"No penal law did I transgress              
By deeds or combination O.        
I have no certain place of rest,        
No home or habitation O.        
But Bansha is my dwelling-place,        
Where I was bred and born O,              
I'm descended from an honest race,        
That's all the trade I've learned O."        

"I will chastise your insolence        
And violent behaviour O;        
Well bound to Cashel you'll be sent,              
Where you will gain no favour O.        
The magistrates will all consent        
To sign your condemnation O;        
From there to Cork you will be sent        
For speedy transportation O."              

"This parish an' this neighbourhood        
Are peaceable and tranquil O;        
There's no disturbance here, thank God!        
An' long may it continue so.        
I don't regard your oath a pin,              
Or sign for my committal O,        
My jury will be gentlemin        
And grant me my acquittal O."        

"The consequence be what it will,        
A peeler's power I'll let you know,              
I'll handcuff you, at all events,        
And march you off to Bridewell O.        
An' sure, you rogue, you can't deny        
Before the judge or jury O,        
Intimidation with your horns,              
An' threatening me with fury O."        

"I make no doubt but you are drunk,        
Wud whiskey, rum, or brandy O,        
Or you wouldn't have such gallant spunk        
To be so bold or manly O.              
You readily would let me pass        
If I had money handy O,        
To treat you to a poteen glass—        
Oh! it's then I'd be the dandy O."
.....................................

And thanks Bert for reminding me of that Ferret thread. I've got a song in there I'd completely forgotten writing that I might try singing some time. Yes, the Song Challenges were great fun, and always good natured - Áine had a great knack of getting people to come up with enjoyable songs.

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: mg
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 12:12 AM

Did anyone say Thunder Road? mg

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: Azizi
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 10:01 AM

I see I forgot to note these other referents for law officers that have been mentioned thus far in this thread:

Sherrif

The Texas Rangers

Special branches

Troopers

-snip-

Any more?

**

Also, Joseph de Culver City, I've been meaning to say that I hope your reference above thread to "Midnight special" doesn't mean you're in the big house.

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: Azizi
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 10:06 AM

And speaking of "Midnight Special", that song fits this thread's theme.

Here's the lyrics as they are found on this website:

http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/l/leadbelly/midnight_special.html

Midnight Special
Well you wake up in the morning, hear the ding dong ring,
You go a-marching to the table, see the same damn thing
Well, it's on a one table, knife, a fork and a pan,
And if you say anything about it, you're in trouble with the man

Let the midnight special, shine her light on me
Let the midnight special, shine her ever-loving light on me

If you ever go to Houston, you better walk right, you better not stagger, you better not fight
Sheriff Benson will arrest you, he'll carry you down
And if the jury finds you guilty, penitentiary bound

Yonder come little Rosie, how in the world do you know
I can tell her by her apron, and the dress she wore
Umbrella on her shoulder, piece of paper in her hand
She goes a-marching to the captain, says, "I want my man"

"I don' believe that Rosie loves me", well tell me why
She ain't been to see me, since las' July
She brought me little coffee, she brought me little tea
Brought me damn near ever'thing but the jailhouse key

Yonder comes doctor Adams, "How in the world do you know?"
Well he gave me a tablet, the day befo'
There ain't no doctor, in all the lan'
Can cure the fever of a convict man
-snip-

[I added the spaces for the verses]

Btw, that website has an embedded YouTube video of Leadbelly singing "Midnight Special"

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: Rowan
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 03:14 AM

A couple of Oz ones are Sergeant Small and, by Don Henderson, "Central Railway".

Cheers, Rowan

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: Bert
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 06:30 PM

Azizi,

If you liked that thread then you need to look at all of the song challenge threads.

And you could start a song challenge of your own about Internet grammar police. That would be a fun topic.

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: Azizi
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 06:58 PM

Thanks for those suggestions, Bert. Are the song challenge threads listed under that title?

With regard to me starting a song challenge about Internet grammar police, since I'm not a song composer, I decline to start such a thread. But I look forward to you or someone else starting a song challenge thread on that subject.

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: GUEST,Kenny B Sans Kuki
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 08:18 PM

The Laughing Policeman
The Polis of Invertotty
Th Bold Gendarmes

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: Azizi
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 08:39 PM

Gendarmes! Thanks, Kenny B for adding another referent for law officers to the ones already listed in [on?] this thread.

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: Amos
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 10:16 PM

Index to Song Challenges


A

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: Rowan
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 10:36 PM

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned "The Big Effin B", or don't recitations & poems count?

Cheers, Rowan

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: Azizi
Date: 19 Apr 08 - 07:15 AM

Amos, thanks for posting that hyperlink to song challenge threads.

**

Rowan, what's "The Big Effin B"? Is that its real title or is "effin" a shortened form of the "f" word?

And, I'm all for the inclusion in this thread of recitations and poems that mention law officers, in addition to songs and children's rhymes.

[Not that what I'm all for really matters a hill of beans, but I'm just sayin' bring them on!] :o)

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: Cool Beans
Date: 19 Apr 08 - 09:49 AM

My country tis of thee
Sweet land of Gernmany
My name is Fritz.
My father was a spy
Caught by the FBI
Tomorrow he will die.
My name is Fritz.

(Learned in the 1950s when I was a little kid.)

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 19 Apr 08 - 07:54 PM

Then there was PC McGarry from Camberwick Green -

Here comes the policeman,
The big friendly policeman,
PC McGarry number 452.
Lost dogs, thick fogs,
Don't know what to do.
Then get the policeman,
The big friendly policeman.
PC McGarry number 452.

Here comes the policeman,
The big friendly policeman,
PC McGarry number 452.
Lost a key, cat up a tree,
Baby lost a shoe.
Then get the policeman,
A big friendly policeman.
PC McGarry number 452.

(Here's a youtube clip of Camberwick Green - but PC McGarry doesn't feature in it.)

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: Mrrzy
Date: 20 Apr 08 - 12:10 AM

Well, this one isn't really for children but I'm surprised no one has mentioned it: Moses Ri-too-ra-li-ay!

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: moongoddess
Date: 01 Jun 08 - 07:46 PM

I thought I saw this thread a few months ago, and when I searched, there it was. I have a song from my childhood called Little Fat Policeman and I finally got around to recording it as an MP3. Here are the words:

Little Fat Policeman

Little fat policeman in the street,
Blows his silver whistle, tweet, tweet, tweet.
Some cars stop and some cars go,
When little fat policeman signals go.

Chorus:
Yo ho ho, yesiree,
Little fat policeman please save me.

Little fat policeman all alone,
In his little roundhouse with his telephone.
Ting, ling, ling, rings in his ear,
Little fat policeman 's always near.

Little fat policeman on the beach,
Keeps his feet dry and eats his peach.
Help, help, help, now don't fear,
Little fat policeman 's always near.

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: Azizi
Date: 01 Jun 08 - 08:03 PM

moongoddess, thanks for posting that song.

But I have to say that that song's reference to the policeman being fat isn't politically correct anymore.I guess "little" could get pass muster, but that depends too.

And what about that referent to the policeman being in "male"? Oh, boy, now you're really in trouble with the pc squad!

LOL!

On a more serious note, I suppose the line about the policeman being in his "little roundhouse" might not be understood in some countries. I suppose this is a British song and refers to a traffic policeman?

In an event, thanks again for adding this song to this thread.

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: GUEST,Lindsay In Wales
Date: 01 Jun 08 - 08:52 PM

In primary school in the 50s we used to sing:

I spy a copper on the corner
Dressed in navy navy blue
With a pimple on his hat
And a belly full of fat
And he walks like a cock-a-doodle-do.

I've no idea where it came from but I suspect the Beano.....

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: Azizi
Date: 01 Jun 08 - 09:23 PM

Linsey in Wales, what does "a pimple on his hat" mean and what is the Beano?

My guess is the pimple meant some kind of puff or big button somewhere on his hat, and the Beano was probably a children's tv show in Wales.

How did I do with my guesses?

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: Snuffy
Date: 02 Jun 08 - 04:10 AM

Here's a typical British police helmet. The pimple would be the shiny bit on top.

And the Beano was a childrens comic, which first appeared in 1938.

All in all, I reckon you were close, but no cigar!

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 02 Jun 08 - 05:38 AM

An Irish one dated 1796 in favour of the police:

It's all you good people, come listen to me,
A caution I'll give you, for your good you will see:
I pray, keep good hours, don't meet with disgrace
To be taken at night by a guard of the police.

You know the Commissioners ordered the same;
To take up all vagrants and girls of the game:
We have taken all conspicuous seen,
We're the stout-hearted horsemen rides round Stephen's Green.

We pray to all powers and that frequently
To meet with the robbers wherever they be,
We search for the covey in every place,
We're the stout-hearted horsemen they call the Police.

We disturb the robbers by day and by night
And to take them prisoners is all our delight:
We will do our duty to such a degree
Not a whore nor a robber in town you shall see.

We pray for our captain to prosper and thrive,
Likewise the Commissioners while they are alive;
They are true to their country and to his Majesty
Success to the Police wherever they may be.

And one not so complimentary on the Castlepollard massacre of 1831

Come all you friends of Ireland, wherever you do be.
Come listen to a tale I tell, 'tis of a doleful tragedy -
Come listen, while through choking- sighs, and many a bitter tear,
I tell the murderous deeds of death at Castlepollard fair.

In peace and quietness went on the business of the fair,
Until the Peelers were brought out to raise a riot there;
Oh! then the work of death began, a woeful bitter fray,
The fatherless and widows too lament that dreadful day.

They drew up round the market-house, their chief he bade them fire,
While the astonished flying crowd on all sides did retire,
'Twas human blood they wanted - their deadly aim they took,
And Castlepollard streets with gore were running like a brook.

'Twould make a heart of stone to bleed and shake in fear and dread,
To see the walls besmeared with brains - the channels running red,
While men and women, old and young, lay dead or dying there,
And shrieks and groans and muskets' clang rung on the startled ear.

An inquest there was ordered, and witnesses came there
Who proved to all what the Peelers done at Castlepollard Fair.
These murderers then were sent to gaol - a happy sight to see-
And a sham trial was brought on, which quickly set them free.

May fiery red and burning hell its torments now prepare,
And vengeance black as night and death o'ertake them while they're there.
And may the very chief of devils take their chieftain in his care,
And every imp his man possess, that fired a musket there

Lovely one written by MacColl in the 60s, when policemen were ordered to dress up like hippies and infiltrate the anti-Vietnam marches (this is getting too big - there are literally hundreds, so 1 verse and chorus only.

The chief commissioners at the Yard has been in consultation,
And they've decided that the Force needs re-orientation,
New orders have been handed down to start our whiskers growing,
For a beard indeed is a friend in need when the winds of change are blowing.

Blue serge suits and collar-and-ties and helmets all must cease man,
Oh won't I have a swinging time when I am a new policeman.


Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 02 Jun 08 - 03:25 PM

Those nights in Sixmilebridge when the songs and music flowed
And when it came to closing time sure the lights were turned down low
And the Sergeant from Kilkishen he would buy us all one more
And we never left that pub before the clock was striking four.

Lahinch and Ennistymon, Liscannor and Kilkee
But best of all was Miltown when the music flowed so free
Willie Clancy and the County Clare I'm ever in your debt
For the sights and sounds of yesterday are shining memories yet.

My Heart's Tonight in Ireland by Andy Irvine

Perhaps they played Sergeant Early's Dream (a reel) or Sergeant Early's Jig, two tunes named for Chicago Police Sergeant James Early.

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jun 08 - 03:52 PM

We live and die for our Saturdays,
And when that Saturday came,
No greater love than the push and shove
At the gates of the Hillsborough game.

It burst the heart, that sea of red
And every lad was ours
It burst the heart to count the dead,
The petals and the flowers.

But the officer looked over his left shoulder,
A look as hard as stone.
We sang our hearts out in the pouring rain,
"You'll never walk alone."

When Saturday Came by Robb Johnson. 96 football fans died in the Hillsborough Disaster on April 15, 1989.

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: Murrbob
Date: 02 Jun 08 - 04:04 PM

A few more with sherrifs, policemen or judges:

   Tiajuana Jail (K. Trio)
   Banua (sp?)      "
   Long Black Veil (numerous)
   Anethea (Judy Collins)
   McPhearson's Rant (Old Blind Dogs)
   Ain't No More Cane on the Brazos (Chad Mitchel Trio)
   There was a little Frog (Corries)
   Midnight Marauder (Limeliters)

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: moongoddess
Date: 02 Jun 08 - 07:04 PM

Yes, Azizi, The Little Fat Policeman sure is an un-PC song for our times! This song was written in the early 50's and was sung by The Sandpipers with the Mitchell Miller Orchestra. The cover art on the record shows the policeman happily blowing his whistle. But he does have longish curly hair!

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: moongoddess
Date: 02 Jun 08 - 07:07 PM

Here's the flip side of "The Little Fat Policeman" called "The Safety Song" and it too mentions a policeman warning of all the dangers of the street, most particularly, cars. I get a kick out of the line "poor car, poor you"!

The Safety Song

The policeman says, so it must be true,
Bumping into cars isn't good for you.
It hurts the car and it hurts you, too.
Poor car, poor you.
So wait at the corner 'til the red light's gone,
Only a minute when the green light's on,
You can cross the street, and safely, too.

Chorus:
Safe and slow, that's how I go,
There are no lumps and bumps on me, you see,
I watch the light when it's green as grass,
The cars all stop so that I can pass.

The policeman says when you play baseball,
Don't run in the street, no not at all.
A car's so big and you're so small,
Don't chase your ball.
Stay out of the street on your bike and skates,
Cars whiz by and it's way too late,
To cry when you're hurt, you're hurt that's all.

Chorus.

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: Mo the caller
Date: 03 Jun 08 - 05:19 AM

At the session at Audlem, Duggie (whose songs are usually prefaced by "put your glasses on Duggie" or "has it got a chorus?") sings a song about a sergeant who was strict about cracking down on late night drinking
The chorus includes the lines

Drink up your jars
No after hours
That's what we hear the sargeant say.....

I can't remember any more except that the chorus changes in the last verse as the sargeant joins the drinking session.

Subject: RE: Law Officers in Songs &Children's Rhymes
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 04 Jun 08 - 03:37 AM

Then of course there's:

"Don't send my boy to prison,
It's the first crime wot 'e's done."
"Six months", replied 'is lordship.
"ooooooooooo - god 'elp my errin' son"

Jim Carroll