Lyr Add: The Parrot Song (Simon Mayor)

Subject: Lyr Add: THE PARROT SONG (Simon Mayor)
From: John Hardly
Date: 12 Oct 08 - 08:36 AM

Transcribed from Simon Mayor's "The Parrot Song"

Introduction:

Now, unusually, we've had a request tonight, not for a particular song or tune, but for a joke. I must say that the person who requested this joke has heard me tell it twice before, and I can only imagine that she han't got it yet. You've probably heard it, actually. It's the old one about the…

Two parrots sat on a perch and one turns and says to the other "Do you smell fish?"

We had some building work done on our house last year and I got on famously with the plumber and we were always crackin' jokes at each other. And one day I said to him, " 'ey, Derrick, Two parrots sat on a perch and one says to the other, 'can you smell fish?"

And he goes, "o-o-oh, yeah, 'at's a good joke in't it? ….but, y'know, a l'il tip. People would understand it be'er if you said 'There were two parrots what sat on a 'addock, and one says to the other…' "


Now if I say something interesting
Or something really nice
It's daft to only say it once
When I could say it…?

(audience) TWICE!

But herein lies a problem
And it really is quite sad
'Cause if you go 'round repeating things
People think you're…?

(audience) MAD!

No. A parrot.

CHORUS:
I'm a parrot (I'm a parrot) I'm your closest friend
I say the same things all day long a drive you 'round the bend
"Pieces of eight, pieces of eight, AWK! Oh, that pretty boy!"
Intelligent conversation is the one thing I enjoy.

Now, if I were a parrot policeman, I wouldn't say, "…'ello?"
I'd say, "…'ello, 'ello, 'ello, 'ello, 'ello..."
And if I joined the Army, now wouldn't it be super?
I couldn't be a Royal Marine. I'd be a parrot –rooper.

CHORUS
I'm a parrot (I'm a parrot) I'm your closest friend
I say the same things all day long a drive you 'round the bend
"Pieces of eight, pieces of eight, AWK! Oh, that pretty boy!"
Intelligent conversation is the one thing I enjoy

Now if I were a parrot (parrot), I'd fly around the garden (garden)
And I would live in the German town of Baden (baden) Baden (baden)
I couldn't live in Iceland 'cause the snow and ice would freeze ya.
So in the winter I'd fly off to sunny Polly-nesia.

CHORUS
I'm a parrot (I'm a parrot) I'm your closest friend
I say the same things all day long a drive you 'round the bend
"Pieces of eight, pieces of eight, AWK! Oh, that pretty boy!"
Intelligent conversation is the one thing I enjoy

Now If I were a parrot (parrot), I'd live in Hong (hong) Kong (kong)
I'd play tennis (I'd play tennis) and also Ping (ping) Pong (pong)
Yes I'd repeat (repeat) things (things) so soon (soon) everyone would know (know)
That the art (art) of saying (saying) things (things) just once (once) is dead (dead) as (as) a Do (do) Do (do) ….do.

CHORUS (repeat)
I'm a parrot (I'm a parrot) I'm your closest friend
I say the same things all day long a drive you 'round the bend
"Pieces of eight, pieces of eight, AWK! Oh, that pretty boy!"
Intelligent conversation is the one thing I enjoy

Subject: RE: The Parrot Song
From: Leadfingers
Date: 12 Oct 08 - 08:58 AM

When I saw the Thread Title , first thing I thought of was 'Polly on the Shore' !
And where can I get the tune ?

Subject: RE: The Parrot Song
From: Sooz
Date: 12 Oct 08 - 09:52 AM

Its a great song although I have a problem with the chords in the chorus (on drives you round the bend to be exact!) Any suggestions?

Subject: RE: The Parrot Song
From: John Hardly
Date: 12 Oct 08 - 10:11 AM

It's in G. Try G# for "drive".

Subject: RE: The Parrot Song
From: John Hardly
Date: 12 Oct 08 - 10:13 AM

X6454X

Subject: RE: The Parrot Song
From: open mike
Date: 12 Oct 08 - 10:54 AM

what's g#?
or rather G#
(i often use lower case letters in chords to indicate minor chord)

Subject: RE: The Parrot Song
From: Folkiedave
Date: 12 Oct 08 - 11:21 AM

In the verse

Now if I were a parrot (parrot), I'd fly around the garden (garden)
And I would live in the German town of Baden (baden) Baden (baden)
I couldn't live in Iceland 'cause the snow and ice would freeze ya.

"You can tell there's a bad rhyme coming up...."

So in the winter I'd fly off to sunny Polly-nesia.

I have it on a sampler - great stuff.

Lad comes from Sheffield of course.

Subject: RE: The Parrot Song
From: Sooz
Date: 12 Oct 08 - 11:36 AM

Thanks John, I'll try that.

Subject: RE: The Parrot Song
From: Leadfingers
Date: 12 Oct 08 - 12:59 PM

CD (Musical Mystery Tour) available at Zavvi.co .uk

Subject: RE: The Parrot Song
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 13 Oct 08 - 01:06 AM

Should be a big hit in Wagga Wagga, "The town so nice they named it twice."

Subject: RE: The Parrot Song
From: Bill D
Date: 13 Oct 08 - 12:14 PM

A friend of mine had a parrot... he taught it to say "stupid bird".

Subject: RE: The Parrot Song
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Oct 08 - 05:58 PM

Funny as can be, Simon and Hilary are. I also like their take on There Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens. Simon is not only a great song and tune writer, but a stellar mandolinist and guitarist. Very gracious folks too.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: The Parrot Song
From: DG&D Dave
Date: 14 Oct 08 - 04:04 AM

Next year I'm organising a Strawhead concert in Derby (UK) on Sept 19th which, I am reliably informed, is "Talk like a Pirate" Day.
Is there a "Talk like a Parrot" Day?
If not, can we start one?

Dave.

"Don't you prittle, don't you prattle Oh my pretty Polly...."

Subject: RE: The Parrot Song
From: Bernard
Date: 14 Oct 08 - 06:52 PM

Beautiful plumage...

Subject: Chord for The Parrot Song (Simon Mayor)
From: GUEST,Simon Mayor
Date: 11 Mar 09 - 03:14 PM

The chord Sooz is looking for is Eb7
Hope that helps!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Parrot Song (Simon Mayor)
From: Sooz
Date: 12 Mar 09 - 01:51 PM

Thanks Simon!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Parrot Song (Simon Mayor)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 13 Mar 09 - 09:39 PM

There's a sound sample of THE PARROT SONG at Simon Mayer's web site.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Parrot Song (Simon Mayor)
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 14 Mar 09 - 04:32 PM

Seems a good time to announce that Hilary & Simon have recorded a track of a Les Barker song parody for soon to be released "Guide Cats Volume 4".

As you would expect, it is a stunningly well presented performance.

Which Song?........SHAN'T TELL!

You'll have to buy it.

Don T.