Tune Req/Lyr Add: The Egg

Subject: Tune Req: The Egg
From: r.padgett
Date: 10 Apr 11 - 06:59 AM

Arthur Howard used to sing this song and I wondered if anyone else has a recording (I haven't Arthur's either) 'tis a music hall song and my difficulty is that the verse tunes change each time and tho' I have a note of what the tunes are it is a bit of a pig to know them all!

Any recording anywhere?

Ray

Eggs are Never Never Never quite newlaid!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 10 Apr 11 - 07:55 AM

I seem to remember my grandfather having sheet music for a piece called "The Egg". Sadly lost now, but have wanted to try and find it ever since the 1960s when I last saw it. I remember little else, except that it seemed to be a medley of many musical things I had seen before, and was funny. I had assumed by the age it was of music hall origin.

I would love to find this too.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg
From: GUEST,999
Date: 10 Apr 11 - 09:14 AM

"Maxwelton Braes were bonnie
When early falls the dew
It was then that Annie Laurie
Gave me her answer true.

That it was an egg of the Old Brigade
Though it had cracked and altered
There it stood
Not a bit dismayed
Till at last it faltered.

I'm a humming, I'm a humming,
I'm not new laid I know
and turning to the Sergeant Major I said Joe.

I don't suppose this egg's been laid for months and months and months
It's turned up time and time again for months and months and months
I don't know when it was laid, but I should think that it was laid
10. 20, 30, 40, 50 years ago.

So I chucked it through the window, I chucked it through the window
There it lay all next day till the dustman came and cleared the mess away.

Eggshells he saw, eggshells he saw.

Off I went to the grocer's shop to find the fellow who'd supplied it
My father's sword I'd girded on and a white (flag?) right behind it.

Rule Britannia, Britannia rules the waves
Eggs must ever ever ever be new laid!

############################################################


Maxwelton Braes are bonnie
Where stand the old hotel
and t'was there I'd an egg for my breakfast
And I knew as I opened the shell.

That it was an egg of the Old Brigade
Though it had changed and altered
There it stood
Quite undismayed
As in accents low it faltered.

I'm humming, I'm humming,
I'm not new laid I know
so turning to the gasping waiter, I said Joe.

I don't suppose this egg's been laid for months and months and months
It's birth certificate's been delayed for months and months and months
I think perhaps it was laid by some extinct dodo
10. 20, 30, 40, 50 years ago.


So I chucked it through the window, I chucked it through the window,
I chucked it through the window..

Then off I went to the grocer's shop to find the fellow who'd supplied it
With my father's sword which I'd girded on
I slew that egg which ran beside me.

And there it lay till next day,
And when the dustman came to clear the mess away.

Eggshells he saw, eggshells he saw.

He wrapped it up in his tarpaulin blanket
And said for his tea it would do
He ate it – and early next morning
His widow his lodge money drew

So, Rule Britannia, Britannia rules the waves
Eggs are never, never, never quite
new laid!

Both the above are from a genaeology site

www.british-genealogy.com/forums/showthread.php/...s.../page 3

####################################################



One site mentions getting lyrics from something called 'the little blue book'. I have no idea what that means.

I also saw mention of the song both from Kiwis and Aussies. Seems though that they too had difficulty locating lyrics let alone the tune.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg
From: GUEST,999
Date: 10 Apr 11 - 09:28 AM

Searching for words to song
        
Is there anyone out there who can remember the words to the nonsensical medly of tunes titled "the egg" Somwhere in the middle is a line which reads " Turning to the gasping waiter I said"Joe" tune Old Black Joe. The line continues " I don't suppose this egg hass been laid for months and months and months,I think perhaps it was laid by some extinct dodo 10,20,30,40,50 years ago. The song ends with the observation " Rule Brittania no matter what you paid,eggs are never never never quite new laid.
Jim Vince 25/06/2007

        words to song        
brings back memories but only remember the ones you have we had alot of fun singing?? it but we did enjoy
Grace Flynn 3/09/2007

        can't sing so remember it a bit        
took large number of common [@ the time] tunes and added new [possibly related even] lyrics. men of harlich, old black joe etc. words were in the 'small' blue song book so it is this you are best to search for. use to love the song but could sing & still can't.
Allan Vincent 7/09/2009

        Thanks        
Thanks to Lyndon McKendry who has supplied the words through a copy of the little blue book.Thanks Lyndon I had almost given up hope.

The above is from    www.oldfriends.co.nz › West Coast › Schools



Might be worthwhile to contact the school itself to see if they still have a copy of that book. However, it would likely differ from the version you heard r.padgett .

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 10 Apr 11 - 11:57 PM

I think that rings the bells 999. Nothing in the searches I tried returned anything remotely useful.


Now as to the tune - some of the medley fragments are obvious.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 11 Apr 11 - 03:54 PM

Ray,
I've got the orginal sheet music. Might even have 2 copies. If not I'll copy mine for you. Is it urgent? Capstick used to sing it. In fact that's where I first heard it. I bet he recorded it.

Steve

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg
From: r.padgett
Date: 12 Apr 11 - 08:37 AM

Steve
No not urgent, in fact I amm probably out of the loop for at least 6 weeks if all goes to plan

Didn't know of any Tomy Capstick recordings, but if anyone has it would be grateful

You know me and printed music!

I heard Arthur sing it and have it in a an "Evergreen" book Greatrex Newman wrote it and was performed by Leslie Henson and music by Wolseley Charles, it says!!

Ray

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg
From: GUEST,philip
Date: 21 May 11 - 05:14 AM

I remember singing this song with my parents and another family at the end of the 1940s, sitting on the beach in Suffolk at night with a blazing fire to keep us warm and dampers to toast for the hungry. I remember most of the tunes but for the life of me I can't name the originals apart from Annie Laurie. The Old Brigade was definitely a marching song. Instead of the birth certificate, in our version it was the calling up papers which had been delayed - much better news if you didn't fancy the trenches.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg
From: doc.tom
Date: 21 May 11 - 05:40 AM

Somewhere, I have the sheet music - I'll look it out when I can (not for a month or so)! If you PM me with your e-mail, I'll send you scans when I get round to it.
Tom

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg
From: Leadfingers
Date: 21 May 11 - 08:52 AM

Looks like one of the 'Every verse to a different tune' songs ! Trayton has one about a mast for a wireledd aerial !

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 03:56 PM

Maxwellton Braes are bonny
Where stands the big hotel
I had an egg for breakfast
But I knew before I cracked the shell

It was an egg of the Old Brigade
Murmuring in accents feeble
“I’m humming, I’m humming,
I’m not new laid I know”쳌

I turned to the gasping waiter
and said, “Joe
I don’t suppose this egg’s been laid
for months and months and months
I don’t suppose this egg’s been laid
for months and months and months
It must have been laid by some extinct dodo
10,20,30,40 100 years ago.

So we threw it out the window,
We threw it out the window,
We threw it out the window,
And there it lay outside.

The waiter to the grocer’s has gone
To see the man who supplied him.
His father’s sword he has girded on
And he slew that egg which ran beside him.

And there it lay until the next day,
Until the dustman came that way.

He wrapped it all up in his tarpaulin jacket
He said for his tea it would do, it would do.
He ate it and early next morning, next morning
His widow his club money drew.

So Rule Britannia, Britannia rules the waves
Eggs are never never never
Quite new laid.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg
From: r.padgett
Date: 02 Jun 11 - 01:43 AM

Thank you guest!

I think Tom (Brown) has sent me the music by email too!

So thanks to all, still would like the recording if anyone has it

and I am now back to basic fitness and driving and walking again, hope to be out singing maybe this weekend

Cheers all

Ray Padgett

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg
From: GUEST,Richard Wedd
Date: 03 Aug 11 - 08:21 AM

I was taught the Egg Song some 50 years ago by a retired British Army Major who accompanied himself on the piano. Guest 999 10/04/11 2nd version (as above)is most accurate but I never have seen any sheet music for it and I wanted to get someone to accompany me for a small Theatre Restaurant in Townsville North Queensland where I now live. If anyone is kind enough to e-mail me a copy I would be very grateful.   
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg
From: doc.tom
Date: 03 Aug 11 - 09:29 AM

It's on its way!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg
From: GUEST,Guest - Tom Longden
Date: 12 Aug 11 - 10:38 AM

Hi there,

I work in a music shop and i have an old gentleman who is desperate for a copy of some sheet music for 'the egg'. If anybody could be so kind to email me a copy then i/he would be very grateful.

my email address is [e-mail]

thanks alot

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg
From: GUEST,Maurice Tulloch
Date: 12 Sep 11 - 08:29 AM

Would like to buy a copy of the music score

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg
From: GUEST,Vigilant Cynic
Date: 07 Oct 11 - 09:09 AM

Used to sing, if that's the word, given my voice, this ditty/medley at Scout camp horribly long ago. I was the repository of the words to it, for this and lighting fires in oak trees in thunderstorms I was known. One match too, surprised myself an' all.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg
From: GUEST,Phil Gregg
Date: 30 Nov 11 - 06:55 PM

Tony Capstick used to sing this version round the folk clubs in the 60's. It has the "Parlez-vous" section in the middle which completes the story.

Where Maxwelton's Braes are bonnie
There stand an old hotel
It was there I'd an egg for my breakfast
And I knew as I opened the shell...

That this was an egg of the Old Brigade
Though it was changed and altered
There it stood, quite undismayed 
As in accents clear it faltered.

I'm humming, I'm humming,
I'm not new laid I know
So turning to the gasping waiter, I said Joe.

I don't suppose this egg's been laid for months and months and months
It's birth certificate's been delayed for months and months and months
Well I suppose that it was laid by some extinct dodo
10. 20, 30, 40, 50 years ago.

Just then a small chicken popped out and cried Parlez vous
And in me best French I replied the same to you
It said me mother lives over there with Mademoiselle from you know where 

So we pushed it through the window, we pushed it through the window,
And the waiter went to the grocer's shop to find the fellow who'd supplied it
With his father's sword he had girded on 
He slew the egg which ran beside him.

There it lay until next day, 
Until the dustman came to cart the bits away.
Eggshells he saw, there on the floor.

So he wrapped it up in his tarpaulin jacket
And he thought for his tea it would do
He ate it – and early-i-ay next morni-ing
His widow the club money drew

So, Rule Britannia, Britannia rules the waves
Eggs are never, never, never quite new laid!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg
From: r.padgett
Date: 01 Dec 11 - 04:49 AM

Ah nearer home with Tony!

Anyone recorded this from him?

I am told John Cocking sings this too currently ~ I assume from Arthur Howard's repertoire

Ray

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg
From: GUEST,Edwin Eamonn Woodley
Date: 27 Mar 12 - 04:00 PM

Having recently been involved in some family history I was prompted to remember some of the songs my grandfather used to sing to me in the 1950s.

This is one I remember well.

I appreciate there would have been regional and regimental variations.

However, one line/word I would certainly take issue with is "gasping" as in .......gasping waiter.

This was most definitely Garcon, as in the French.

This late Victorian, early Edwardian, Music Hall song was written when "classy" Hotels would have wanted to give the impression of employing French staff.

The fact that the waiter's name is Joe is a pun at not everything, including the freshness of the egg ! can be taken on face value.


Kind regards and best wishes.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg
From: r.padgett
Date: 28 Mar 12 - 09:14 AM

WEll thanks to all

Ray

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 28 Mar 12 - 03:55 PM

I thought it was 'Gaping' waiter but I'll check my sheet music.

It's certainly not Victorian, nor even Edwardian, 1921. No I'm wrong, it is 'gasping' and I have 2 copies. What am I bid?

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 11:20 AM

Hi All
This is a song I have known since childhood as my mother learned it from TWO hearings at a guide camp in 1937 (yes, her memory really is that good). It's clearly a WWI parody as it is based on all the WWI popular songs - and there were food shortages and some rationing by the end of the war. It's interesting that the sheet music is dated 1921 - I would guess it was being performed before then.
I have an mp3 of my mother singing it plus a transcript of the words.
Never come across it online before now - she'll be interested to know where it comes from.
Best
Clare Rose [e-mail]
(PS I have just put together an exhibition at the WOmen's Library in London that includes a booklet of strike songs from 1926 - some great parodies of popular songs)

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg
From: GUEST,Judy Gibson
Date: 10 Aug 12 - 11:58 AM

Well.......how amazing is the internet! I suddenly decided to look for the origin of The Egg song. I first heard it sung in 1969 when I was in the WRAF by a young girl from Aberdeen and have never heard it since.
The version I heard matches that of Tom Capstick :

Oh Maxwelton Braes are bonnie
There stands an old hotel
It was there I had an egg for my breakfast
I knew as I opened the shell.

That it was an egg of the Old Brigade
Though it had changed and altered
There it stood
Quite undismayed
With an accent it stuttered and faltered.

I'm humming, I'm humming,
My head is bending low
And calling to to the gasping waiter, I said Joe.

I don't suppose this egg's been laid for months and months and months
It's calling up notice has been delayed for months and months and months
I don't suppose you know it was laid by some dodo
10. 20, 30, 40, 50 years ago.

And then a small chicken popped out and said
Parlez Vous
And I replied in my best French
The same to you

It said
My mother lives over there with Madamoiselle from you know where..

So I chucked it through the window, I chucked it through the window,
Then off I went to the grocer's shop to see the man who had supplied it
with my father's sword I had girded on
I slew that egg which ran before me.


NOTE: I never heard this section below and would love to know what musical score was used for that bit. As you know the main humour of the song relies on switching from one well known British Tune to another so it should be easy to pinpoint.

*****Eggshells he saw, eggshells he saw.
And there it lay till next day,
And when the dustman came to clear the mess away.
He wrapped it up in his tarpaulin blanket
And said for his tea it would do
He ate it – and early next morning
His widow his lodge money drew**********

Her version just ended with the following...

Rule Britannia, Britannia rules the waves
Eggs are never, never, never quite
fresh laid!

Thanks to all on this thread - and yes I would love a copy someone actually singing it!
My RAF friend sadly died a few years ago - and it was thinking of her that reminded me of the song. Great times and great fun.
Best Judy [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 10 Aug 12 - 02:56 PM

The tunes you lack are:

Following the tune of Minstrel Boy.....'beside him.'

And there it lay.......(The Bay of Biscay) by Andrew cherry and John Davy

Then comes 'Egg shells he saw' x2 which is (Excelsior) Terrible but brilliant pun. You should get this by Googling.

Then 'He wrapped.....' which is as it says on the wrapper '
(Wrap me up in my tarpaulin Jacket) by Whyte Melville and Rev Fred Bowyer.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 Aug 12 - 05:53 PM

I'd like to remind y'all that it's very helpful if you post the NAME of the song when you post lyrics. Are all versions of this song called "The Egg," or does the song have a variety of names?

When I see lyrics that are cogent, I try to standardize the format and include a title, songwriter name (if applicable), and source and background information - but I try to do this without altering the post significantly. Sometimes, this is a problem....

Now, if anybody can find a recording of this song, please post a link. If it's not on the Internet, contact me and we'll see what we can do to get it posted.

-Joe Offer-
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 11 Aug 12 - 05:26 PM

Joe,
Yes, the song is simply called 'The Egg, A Mournful Medley' and was published in 1921. The other details you have above. I don't have any recordings but I would think Tony Capstick recorded it somewhere. If not John Cocking may have recorded it. Ray Padgett would know better than me.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg
From: GUEST,IAN WHITE
Date: 01 Aug 13 - 04:33 AM

A fascinating read—my sister and myself have been searching for the lyrics and the correct words to this song. Our father (born in 1912) remembered the most of the words and gave this to my sister before he died. He was born in London and came to Australia in 1922. It is possible that he learnt it either from the scouts or through his sister who was a prominent Girl Guide in New South Wales.

Is it possible to obtain any music sheets? My sister sings in various nursing homes and this song would be well received. We would be happy to pay for any costs involved
Kind regards
Ian White

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 01 Aug 13 - 08:12 AM

Ian,
PM me your email address and I'll scan you a copy.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg
From: GUEST,IAN WHITE
Date: 01 Aug 13 - 07:05 PM

Dear Steve

Thank you for your prompt response. My email address is [e-mail]. It is amazing how music can transcend the world. My sister will appreciate the music and so will the nursing home residents.

Thanks
Ian White

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg
From: GUEST,ian white
Date: 10 Aug 13 - 04:20 AM

Hi Steve,

Sorry to be a pain in the a...   but was wondering if you have been able to send the lyrics/music to [e-mail] - ourpc has not been very cooperative of late.

kind regards
Ian white

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 10 Aug 13 - 05:21 PM

Will do!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Aug 13 - 11:31 AM

I was thinking of my dear old Mum this morning and a song that she used to sing a snippet of to herself when she was busy around the house. She was born 100 years ago. As I thought about it I thought it made no sense and I wondered if she had mixed up her own medley.

Thank goodness for the Internet. Now I know that it is officially odd!I would love to hear how the whole thing goes so if anyone can send me the music and lyrics to go with same, I will try to get one of my friends to play it for me.

My Mum passed away in 1985 and looking at the comments above I think she probably learnt it at a Guide campfire. Many thanks

Alun Hughes
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg + [add lyrics]
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 12 Aug 13 - 01:31 PM

Okay, Alun, it's on its way.
Steve

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg + [add lyrics]
From: Bizibod
Date: 13 Aug 13 - 10:47 AM

Here 'tis on You Tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5zfFL73DMQ

Subject: Lyr Add: THE EGG (Greatrex Newman/Wolseley Charles
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 15 Aug 13 - 10:38 AM

The National Library of Australia has the sheet music, but it is not viewable online.

The following lyrics came from, of all places, an Australian publication called "The Poultry Farmer" (1961):

(In the original, the song titles were in the left margin. I have put them in italics.)


THE EGG: A MOURNFUL MEDLEY
Words by Greatrex Newman. Music arranged by Wolseley Charles.
London: Reynolds & Co., ©1922.
"Sung by Leslie Henson"

"Annie Laurie"
Maxwelton braes are bonnie
Where stands the Grand Hotel:
And 'twas there I'd an egg for my breakfast,
But I knew as I opened the shell—

"The Old Brigade"
That it was an egg of the Old Brigade;
Though it had changed and altered,
There it stood quite undismayed.
As in accents low it faltered:

"Poor Old Joe."
"I'm humming, I'm humming, I'm not new-laid I know,"
So turning to the gasping waiter, said "J-J-J-Joe,

"Months and Months."
I don't suppose this egg has been laid
For months and months and months,
Its birth certificate's been delayed
For months and months and months;
I think perhaps it was laid by some extinct do-do,
Ten! twenty! thirty! forty! fifty! years ago!"

"Mademoiselle from Armentieres."
Then a small chicken jumped out and cried "parlez vous,"
So in my best French I replied "The same to you."
My mother, it said, lived over there
With Mademoiselle from you-know-where,

"Pushed It Through the Window."
So we pushed it thro' the window,
We pushed it thro' the window,

"The Minstrel Boy."
Then the waiter went to the grocer's shop
Just to find the fellow who'd supplied him,
With his father's sword which he'd girded on
He slew that egg which ran beside him.

"The Bay of Biscay."
And there it lay, till next day,
And when the dustman came to clear the bits away,

"Excelsior..."
Egg-shells—he—saw! Egg-shells—he—saw!

"Tarpaulin Jacket."
He wrapped it up in his tarpaulin jacket,
And thought for his tea it would do,
He ate it, and early next morning—
His widow his club money drew.

"Rule Britannia."
So Rule Britannia! No matter what you've paid,
Eggs are never, never, never quite new laid.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg + [add lyrics]
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 15 Aug 13 - 06:21 PM

Jim,
I think Tarpaulin Jacket starts at 'He wrapped, or at least in that line.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg + [add lyrics]
From: Bizibod
Date: 16 Aug 13 - 06:01 AM

Hmm, I think I've made a blue clicky....
It's a recording on a 78 of The Egg, complete with pop hiss and crackle
Enjoy!

The Egg, a mournful melody

If it's not a blue clicky then you'll find it on Youtube by following the youtube link given in my post of 13th August.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg + [add lyrics]
From: GUEST,Alice in the Netherlands
Date: 06 Oct 13 - 04:17 PM

THANK YOU to all you posters! My amazing photographic-memory mother wrote all the lyrics down for me some years ago, having learned them from her father, AND knew all the tune names, but being tone-deaf herself couldn't help me with the actual tunes! Thank you very much to the lovely person who put the old recording on YouTube; now I know what they all sound like!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg + [add lyrics]
From: Mo the caller
Date: 07 Oct 13 - 04:22 AM

I've heard this song twice in my life. The first back in the late 1950's at a conference for 6th formers; the singer also gave us Down Below - a song about sewers. Then, after having my memory refreshed by this thread it popped up at Bromyard, sung by Will Noble.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg + [add lyrics]
From: r.padgett
Date: 07 Oct 13 - 07:12 PM

As the originator of this thread I also thank everyone for their contributions and the you tube singing clip

I last heard this sung by Barry Bridgewater about 4 months ago I think at The George at Upper Deby and I reckon he learnt it from Arthur Howard as Will Noble did!

I need to learn this now!!

Ray

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg + [add lyrics]
From: GUEST,DrewGalloway
Date: 17 Dec 13 - 04:50 PM

Yeeeee Haaarrrr!!! Jim Dixon is the first to get the lyrics closest to the original!!
My Grandma(born circa 1886) helped Greatrex to write this song... she was a prolific comical song and poem writer in her own right.
And... There are more 'painful' puns and examples of word-play in "The Egg" than at first might be apparent. As with 'Ex-cels-i-or', you need to know all the original songs(and some of the trends and mind-sets of the era) from which the snippets of music were taken.
The lyrics that Jim has laid out in his post are close enough to the original that my grandma had written down, for me not to want to interfere with them further.
Grandma had a wicked sense of humour, and wrote lots of stuff, amongst which is a short 'poem' inspired by a street cry from the 1940s:

"Apples a pound pears;
Grapes, we 'ave none.
Don't sit on the back of the cart,
Or you'll tip the donkey up!"

Although she had a razor-sharp wit, she was never anxious to have her material acknowledged in a public way. She just saw it as something for a fun family evening around the piano. Fortunately, much of it has been disseminated by word of mouth, and many families have enjoyed it around the piano at home, or in small concert parties.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg + [add lyrics]
From: GUEST,Jen
Date: 11 Oct 14 - 04:25 PM

Just incase anyone was looking for a recording...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5zfFL73DMQ

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg + [add lyrics]
From: GUEST,Katy
Date: 12 Dec 14 - 04:01 AM

My grandpa taught me this song when I was little! Does anyone still have a copy of the sheet music? I would love a photocopy, or even better I would love to buy an actual copy. Have been searching everywhere!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg + [add lyrics]
From: doc.tom
Date: 12 Dec 14 - 06:57 AM

As above, Katy, (and anyone else who wants it) PM me with your e-mail and I'll e-mail you scans of the sheet music. TomB

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg + [add lyrics]
From: GUEST,KPB
Date: 25 Jan 16 - 06:27 PM

Our music teacher at EGHS (Kalgoorlie WA), Brian Gell loved to have us sing this song in the late 1950's. The music room, an old weatherboard single room isolated from the rest of the school and quite dingy. Brian knew how to 'get the boys ' singing and this song was one of his tools.
My Men's shed is starting a singing group and I hope to use this to get the blokes involved.
Thanks for the nostalgia - grandma's sing a long composition right on it.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg + [add lyrics]
From: GUEST,Merri
Date: 28 Jan 17 - 07:29 PM

My father used to sing this. Must have heard it from his mother who was a music hall singer. This is what I remember. Maybe if we blend and amend it with some of the other memories we'll get the complete song!

Maxwellton Braes are bonny,
Where stands the big hotel
I had an egg for breakfast
But I knew before I cracked the shell…

It was an egg of the Old Brigade
Murmuring in accents feeble

I'm humming, I'm humming
My head is bending low
I turned to the gasping waiter
and said, "Joe…

I don't suppose this eggs been laid for months and months and months
I don't suppose this eggs been laid for months and months and months
It must have been laid by some extinct dodo—
10, 20, 30, 30, 40… one hundred years ago!

So we threw it out the window
We threw it out the window,
We threw it out the window,
And there it lay outside.

The waiter to the grocer has gone
To see the man who supplied him
His father's sword he has girded on
And he slew that egg which ran beside him.

And there it lay until the next day
When the dustman came that way.
He wrapped it all up in his tarpaulin jacket
He said for his tea, it would do, it would do.
He ate it and early next morning, next morning,
His widow his club money drew.

So rule Britannia, Brittania rules the waves
Eggs are never never never
Quite new laid!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg + [add lyrics]
From: doc.tom
Date: 29 Jan 17 - 05:20 AM

GUEST:Merri. Always a good idea to read through a thread first. You will find several sets of the words above and that both Steve Gardham and I have offered to e-mail scans of the original sheet music to anyone who wants them! Just become a member of Mudcat (always a good idea anyway) and PM us.
TomB

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Egg + [add lyrics]
From: GUEST,John Temple
Date: 22 Oct 17 - 06:15 PM

Interesting how different accounts of the same song can vary so much. This is what I remember singing in the Boy Scouts, sixty years ago (1946 -1950), in South East London, just after the war:

Where southern braes are bonny, there stands a grand hotel;
And there I had egg for my breakfast, which sang as I cracked the shell,
"I'm humming, I'm humming, I'm not new laid I know."
Then, turning to the gasping waiter, I said, "Joe,
"This egg has not been laid for years and years and years.
"Its birth certificate's been delayed for years and years and years
"It was laid, I expect, by some extinct hen,
"Ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty years ago."
So we slung it out the window, we slung it out the window,
We slung it out the window, before the break of day.
There it lay, till next day, till the dustman came to clear the bits away.
He wrapped it in his tarpaulin jacket and said for his tea it would do.
But alas, the very next morning his widow his club money drew.
So take my warning, no matter what is said,
Eggs are never never never quite new laid.

The last two lines were sung to the tune of Rule Britannia
It's also interesting to realise that all the other contributors think they know the right version, when in reality, the right one is mine.

John Temple

Subject: RE: Tune Req/Lyr Add: The Egg
From: GUEST,Vanessa
Date: 08 Sep 19 - 01:28 PM

My aunt used to sing me the egg song does anyone have any sheet music? Thank you.

Subject: RE: Tune Req/Lyr Add: The Egg
From: GUEST,guy (Heath Halifax)
Date: 11 Feb 20 - 05:41 AM

Brings back memories.
Used to sing this when with Heath Scouts, Halifax

Happy days

Subject: RE: Tune Req/Lyr Add: The Egg
From: cnd
Date: 11 Feb 20 - 09:25 AM

Also known as The Lavenham Egg Song, Roud #10711

You can hear it sung by Clive Clark here

The Youtube video linked above credits the song to Greatrex Newman (1892 – 1984), saying they wrote the song on 29 May 1982, though given the number of people with older recollections of the song that seems unlikely.

There's also a recording from 1983 available in the John Howson Collection of BL Sounds UK Collection but you need a UK Higher Education Association connection.

Still haven't been able to find any sheet music for it but with the video above it wouldn't be terribly difficult for the right person to construct some

Subject: RE: Tune Req/Lyr Add: The Egg
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 11 Feb 20 - 09:55 AM

Read the thread and your prayers will be answered! 1921.

Subject: RE: Tune Req/Lyr Add: The Egg
From: GUEST,Curtis Walker
Date: 21 Jun 20 - 03:19 PM

I was searching for the correct lyrics to this old song to have for a recording: now I know! Come & have a listen to my dear late Grandpa Fred singing The Egg Song at a wedding anniversary party back in 1980. It was perhaps his classic favorite he used to recite/sing at gatherings and special occasions; now it can live on forever at Soundcloud (well, for as long as that lasts, anyhow!), so Enjoy!: Fred Walker Sings the Egg Song, 1980