Origins: dingle dangle scarecrow - traditional?

Subject: Origins: dingle dangle scarecrow - traditional?
From: Jess A
Date: 16 Jul 10 - 03:05 PM

Hiya,
I'm in the process of recording an album of nursery rhymes, songs and lullabies, and am wanting to include the song 'Dingle Dangle Scarecrow' (lyrics below). Having searched on the web I can't find this credited to anybody except Trad., but from memory I had thought it was relatively recently written (in the last 40 years anyhow...). Does anybody know any more about the origins of this song? I want to get my sleeve notes as accurate as possible, and register correctly with MCPS etc.

many thanks
Jess

Dingle Dangle Scarecrow

When all the cows were sleeping and the sun had gone to bed,
Up jumped a scarecrow and this is what he said,
'I'm a dingle dangle scarecrow with a flippy floppy hat,
I can shake my arms like this, and shake my feet like that'.

When all the hens were roosting and the moon was behind a cloud,
Up jumped a scarecrow and he shouted very loud,
'I'm a....

When all the dogs were kennelled and the doves were in the loft,
Up jumped a scarecrow and he whispered very soft,
'I'm a....

Subject: RE: Origins: dingle dangle scarecrow - traditional?
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 16 Jul 10 - 03:23 PM

Eek! I sang this for the 1st time this morning in Rhyme Time at the library where I work. It's very popular with the pre-school children (ave age 6 mo -- 2 yrs).

It's one of the 'official' nursery rhymes here, which ought to mean it's out of copyright, if it was ever in it. Sorry, doesn't help with your query! I'll be interested to know myself.

Good luck with the recording.

Subject: RE: Origins: dingle dangle scarecrow - traditional?
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 16 Jul 10 - 08:58 PM

Have known it for about 30 years, have never seen it credited, though I have seen it in boks, one by ladybird I think.

Subject: RE: Origins: dingle dangle scarecrow - traditional?
From: GUEST,Quince Spek
Date: 14 Sep 10 - 09:16 AM

"Dingle Dangle Scarecrow" is a children's song written by Mollie Russell-Smith (lyrics) and her brother Geoffry Russell-Smith (music) who are from England. It was first published as "Wide Awake" in 1964 by Mills Music, London. It is now owned by EMI Harmonies Ltd.

Subject: RE: Origins: dingle dangle scarecrow - traditional?
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Aug 18 - 04:58 AM

Here is a clip of the writer singing it, from a moving documentary about her son.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCJV8_dP4pM


This is the name of the full documentary- well worth a look
'storyville-lost gold of the highlands'

Subject: RE: Origins: dingle dangle scarecrow - traditional?
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 21 Aug 18 - 01:40 PM

Here's a blicky to Mollie singing it.