Lyr Req: Robin Head the Pusher (Fred Wedlock)

Subject: Lyrics Fred Wedlock
From: Lesley Palmer
Date: 26 Nov 99 - 05:37 PM

There was a song Fred Wedlock did about Robin Hood. I would live to have the lyrics. I can remember very little except there was Maid Marion the Acid Queen and at one point the Sheriff of Nottingham said "look at the pretty colours man and was promptly horribly sick" - I`m sorry it was that type of song. Anyone who can help?

Subject: RE: Lyrics Fred Wedlock
From: Melbert
Date: 26 Nov 99 - 06:11 PM

I have it! (but don't worry, it's not catching).

I'm a bit pushed for time right now but give me a couple of days and I'll transcribe it (unless someone beats me to it)

Subject: RE: Lyrics Fred Wedlock
From: wildlone
Date: 26 Nov 99 - 10:00 PM

Lyrics in the forum, Posted on the 18th sept 99 under
Re:Lyr Req: Robin Hood Dealer.
wl.

Subject: RE: Lyrics Fred Wedlock
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Jan 03 - 03:14 AM

Here's Fred's Website: www.fredwedlock.net
Fred Wedlock songs I found here at Mudcat are:

• British Bobby
• Breathalyzed
• Bums and Boobs
• The Widow and the Fairy
• The Folker (disputed title)
• Robin Head the Pusher

The Oldest Swinger and Vicar and the Frog are often attributed to Wedlock, but apparently he didn't write them.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyrics Fred Wedlock
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Jan 03 - 05:30 AM

I've read different reports for the Oldest Swinger In Town. Some suggest Chris Newman wrote it and others that he co-wrote it with Fred Wedlock.

Subject: RE: Lyrics Fred Wedlock
From: GUEST,Chris Newman
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 05:22 PM

Re: Swinger...Ed Pickford wrote the original song. I first heard it on a tape by someone-whose-name-escapes-me (it was a long time ago!).
I altered the original tune a fair bit, did the arrangement and recorded it in Bath in August 1979. Fred altered a few vocal phrases at my suggestion - the original had the same punchline repeated over and over and inevitably the impact was reduced. Noel Edmunds heard it in early 1981 and it became a hit. I received a silver disc for producing the record, and that was my lot. It was fun at the time, although irksome in the extreme that all the cash went elsewhere...worse things happen at sea!

Subject: RE: Lyrics Fred Wedlock
From: CraigS
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 07:59 PM

Robin Head was written by Keith Christmas. Robin Hood (also sung by Fred) was written by Dave Turner, who also wrote the British Bobby, and the song about the buses wot Fred recorded. I've forgotten who wrote the Vicar and the Frog, but it wasn't Fred and it wasn't Miles Wooton, either.

Subject: RE: Lyrics Fred Wedlock
From: GUEST,Chris Newman
Date: 22 Jan 03 - 04:27 AM

Vicar and the frog was written by Stan Crowther - then MP for Rotherham. He wrote many funny songs...

Subject: RE: Lyrics Fred Wedlock
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 22 Jan 03 - 08:26 AM

Chris, Fred got the song when you and him appeared at a club I ran in Aspley Guise umpty years ago. Fred stayed at my house and I played him a live tape of Iain MacKintosh singing it the rest a s they say is history.

Subject: RE: Lyrics Fred Wedlock
From: Schantieman
Date: 22 Jan 03 - 08:36 AM

'The Folker' was indeed written by Fred. I've just had an e-mail correspondence with him about it. And that is, indeed, the title.

Steve

Subject: RE: Lyrics Fred Wedlock
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jan 03 - 09:17 AM

Thanks for the info on the "Oldest Swinger In Town", Chris.

Incdentally, being totaly off topic, etc... Are you and Maire likely to be playing in Norfolk (UK) in the forseable future? I've only heard you once live, in Llandundo quite a few years back - and for me, it was my most memorable night in probably 12yrs of involment one way or other with the club. Would love to hear you again!

Jon

Subject: RE: Lyrics Fred Wedlock
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jan 03 - 09:20 AM

(and no I can't spell Llandudno and that is in North Wales - lived there a few years before moving to Norfolk)

Jon

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Robin Head the Pusher (Fred Wedlock)
From: GUEST,SkyyFyre
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 12:23 PM

I learned this from Fred back in abut 1983

I will have to write it from memory. If You want, please e-mail at [e-mail]

regards..

Subject: ADD: Robin Head (Keith Christmas)
From: GUEST,SkyyFyre:
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 12:49 PM

Further to Previous post: Lyrics follow :)

ROBIN HEAD
(Keith Christmas, as recorded by Fred Wedlock)

(This is sung in 'traditional mode, No accompaniement, and one finger in an

ear)...

'Twas in the forest of She-er-erwood, in the year 12 hundred and 10,
Lived a Pusher by the name of Robin Head, and His band of very merry men,
They lived on nuts and Berri-ees, and occasional spotted de--ee--er.
Doing the Macro-biotic thing, and dispensing oodles of cheer!

The sound of merry laugheter, echoed through the forest green
There was old Friar Tuck, with whom nothing rhymes, and Marion the Acid Queen
Said Little John, 'let's have some mead', said Robin 'Oh what's the point?,
I'm tired of doing this Venison thing, let's go and roll a joint!'

Just then there came upon the scene, a band of the Sherriff's men,
Saying 'ello, ello, ello, and what's all this here then?'
You'll have to come along with Us to the palace of the Ki-i-i-ing
And Robin said 'Oh Man don't be so uptight, I'm only doing my thing!

Then Robin was dragged before the throne of Nottingham's terrible king
Who said 'For years We've been after you, and now you'll bloody well swing!
But first before I sentence You, for the evils that you've do-o-o-one
Tell Me 'what's this 'weed' you grow in the woods? I think I must try some!

(Sloooooooow and rather warbly)

The minutes.... passed.. in si-i-lence, and the air grew somewhat thick!
The Sherriff said 'Ohh the colours Man!' and was promptly horribly sick!
An now Our story has to end, as happily as it bega-a-a-an..
For Robin Deals for the countryside, and the Sherriff does Notting Hammmmmmm!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Robin Head the Pusher (Fred Wedlock)
From: alanabit
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 04:39 PM

Subject: RE: Lyrics Fred Wedlock
From: CraigS - PM
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 07:59 PM

Robin Head was written by Keith Christmas. Robin Hood (also sung by Fred) was written by Dave Turner, who also wrote the British Bobby, and the song about the buses wot Fred recorded. I've forgotten who wrote the Vicar and the Frog, but it wasn't Fred and it wasn't Miles Wooton, either.

Just so that credit goes where it is due...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Robin Head the Pusher (from Fred Wedlock)
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 11:24 AM

If you want to give credit where it's due, it should be pointed out that Fred only wrote the words to "The Folker". A certain P. Simon wrote the music...

Subject: Lyr Add: ROBIN HEAD THE PUSHER (Christmas)
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 05:57 AM

Reposted with missing verse added.

Copied from LP "Out of Wedlock"

ROBIN HEAD THE PUSHER
(Keith Christmas, as recorded by Fred Wedlock)

'Twas in the forest of She-er-erwood, in the year 12 hundred and 10,
Lived a Pusher by the name of Robin Head, and His band of very merry men,
They lived on nuts and Berri-ees, and occasional spotted de--ee--er.
Doing the Macro-biotic thing, and dispensing oodles of cheer!

The sound of merry laughter, echoed through the forest green
There was old Friar Tuck, with whom nothing rhymes, and Marion the Acid Queen
Said Little John, 'let's have some mead', said Robin 'Oh what's the point?,
I'm tired of doing this Venison thing, let's go and roll a joint!'

Just then there came upon the scene, a band of the Sheriff's men,
Saying 'ello, ello, ello, and what's all this here then?'
You'll have to come along with Us to the palace of the Ki-i-i-ing
And Robin said 'Oh Man don't be so uptight, I'm only doing my thing!'

So Robin bid his men farewell, and to Ma-ri-on gave a kiss,
Then went, with certain substances, for further analysis,
And the news it spread both far and near, and the townsfolk came to see-e-e-ee,
For the man who always gave good deals was of great pop-u-la-ri-ty!

Then Robin was dragged before the throne of Nottingham's terrible king
Who said 'For years We've been after you, and now you'll bloody well swing!
But first before I sentence You, for the evils that you've do-o-o-one
Tell Me what's this 'weed' you grow in the woods? I think I must try some!

(Sloooooooow and rather warbly)

The minutes.... passed.. in si-i-lence, and the air grew somewhat thick!
The Sheriff said 'Ohh the colours Man!' and was promptly horribly sick!
An now Our story has to end, as happily as it bega-a-a-an..
For Robin Deals for the countryside, and the Sheriff does Notting Hammmmmmm!


Don T.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Robin Head the Pusher (from Fred Wedlock)
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 06:00 AM

I have the tune also, in both MP3 and .wav.

PM me if you need the music.

Don T.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Robin Head the Pusher (from Fred Wedlock)
From: GUEST,Pete 'Fred Fan'
Date: 09 Jul 09 - 09:01 PM

The big thing about Robin Head is that it changes key with every verse! (after going Nyahhh in very traditional style!) Not sure if Fred or Miles Wooten wrote it (I susopect the latter) but Fred sure as hell sold it! As a copycast singer, I have to admit that that is really difficult!!!! But fun!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Robin Head the Pusher (from Fred Wedlock)
From: GUEST,Oh there is also...
Date: 09 Jul 09 - 09:03 PM

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Robin Head the Pusher (from Fred Wedlock)
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Jul 09 - 09:06 PM

Robin Hood was a bloke and he had many bows
He kept tham all nice and clean
He died in his prime at the age (--Insert age here--+
From a nasty case of eyeball ganguarine.

Forgotten the rest of it!!

Pete

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Robin Head the Pusher (from Fred Wedlock)
From: Bugsy
Date: 09 Jul 09 - 10:38 PM

"'The Folker' was indeed written by Fred. I've just had an e-mail correspondence with him about it. And that is, indeed, the title."

That's interesting, I always thought it was written by Noel Murphy.

CHeers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Robin Head the Pusher (from Fred Wedlock)
From: GUEST,Guest; John Leonard
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 06:59 AM

This song is very definitely Fred's. The version listed as being Jasper Carrot's is in fact pretty much the version that Fred sang at The Bristol Troubadour in the late 1960s,early 1970s when I was a regular there. There was also a very nice parody of Al Stewart's Swiss Cottage Manouevers, which I think was either by Dave Hunt or John Turner or possibly by a chap whose name I can't remember but who went by the soubriquet of Heavy Drummer. Where Al's lyrics included "I could see myself nailed to a dormitory tale", this version went "I could see myself scrawled on a lavatory wall."

John

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Robin Head the Pusher (from Fred Wedlock)
From: GUEST,John Leonard
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 07:55 AM

Correction to my previous post re: The Folker. The Al Stewart parody possibly concerned Ian Hunt, not Dave Hunt. Ian had a duo with John Turner, the guy who ran The Bristol Troubadour and who also was part of the utterly magnificent Pigsty Hill Light Orchestra. Ah, happy times...

John

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Robin Head the Pusher (Fred Wedlock)
From: Ian Anderson
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 05:06 PM

Just saw this thread as it has been linked from the Fred obit. one

Re the above: not surprised about your confusion. The Troubadour had Ian Hunt, John Turner and Ian Turner. When they all backed me on gigs etc it got daft with three Ian's and two Turners so Ian Turner was the one who got nicknamed "Heavy Drummer" since he was, after all, a bongo player. Sadly, when I looked him up recently to organise sending him the re-issue CD that just came out including the tracks he was on, I discovered that he died of a heart attack in autumn 2008. RIP Heavy Drummer.

The Ballad Of Robin Head was written by another Bristol Troubadour resident, Keith Christmas (who also wrote that great spooky song which Martin Carthy recorded called The Fable Of The Wings)

The Folker, Fred's parody of The Boxer. Yes, he certainly wrote that - the other people who did it later like Murf and Jasper Carrott got it from Fred. I'm absolutely certain of this: I produced the album. (And OK, I'll come out of the shed after all those years . . . that's me on there as The Deaf Clifton Sunflower, credited for "country blue"!)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Robin Head the Pusher (Fred Wedlock)
From: GUEST,Jonah
Date: 07 Jun 12 - 03:25 PM

2nd verse:

The friars name was Tuck and he didn't give a damn
No he wouldn't even help them in a fight
He wouldn't help them hunt, the lazy rotten friar
He just sat around and fed himself all night

Subject: ADD: Robin Head (Keith Christmas)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Jun 12 - 05:04 PM

You'll find the song listed as "Robin Head" on Spotify - it's on Fred's 2011 2-CD set titled The Folker/Frollicks. Don's transcription is good, although I'd disagree with a word or two here and there. I don't hear the verses provided by Pete and Jonah, so I'd class them as "folk process additions."

-Joe-

---

This is what I hear, based on Don's transcription:

ROBIN HEAD
(Keith Christmas, as recorded by Fred Wedlock)

'Twas in the forest of She-er-erwood, in the year 12 hundred and 10,
Lived a Pusher by the name of Robin Head, and His band of very merry men,
They lived on nuts and Berri-ees, and occasional spotted de--ee--er.
Doing the Macro-biotic thing, and dispensing oodles of cheer!

The sound of merry laughter, echoed through the forest green
There was old Friar Tuck, with whom nothing rhymes, and Marion the Acid Queen
Said Little John, 'let's have some mead', says Robin, 'Oh what's the point?,
I'm tired of doing that Venison thing, let's go and roll a joint!'

Just then there burst upon the scene, a band of the Sheriff's men,
Saying 'ello, ello, ello, and what's all this here then?'
You'll have to come along with Us to the palace of the Ki-i-i-ing
Says Robin, 'Oh Man don't be so uptight, I'm only doing my thing!'

So Robin bid them a sad farewell, and to Ma-ri-on gave a kiss,
And went, with certain substances, for further analysis,
And the news it spread both far and wide, and the townsfolk came to see-e-e-ee,
For the man who always gave big deals was of great pop-u-la-ri-ty!

Then Robin was dragged before the throne of Nottingham's terrible king
Who says, 'For years I've been after you, and now you'll bloody well swing!
But first before I sentence You, for the evils what you've do-o-o-one
Tell Me what's this 'weed' you grow in the woods? I think I will try some!

(Sloooooooow and rather warbly)

So, the minutes.... passed.. in si-i-lence, and the air grew somewhat thick!
And the Sheriff said 'Ooh the colours, Man!' and was promptly horribly sick!
An now Our story has to end, as happily as it bega-a-a-an..
For Robin Deals for the countryside, and the Sheriff does Notting Hammmmmmm!

Subject: ADD: Robin Hood (Dave Turner)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Jun 12 - 05:24 PM

Oh, the verses from Pete and Jonah come from this (click). I'll post it here, with a few changes to reflect what I hear on The Folker/Frollicks (mostly, the order fo verses is different). The tune is "Jesse James," the same tune Woody Guthrie used for "Jesus Christ."

Thread #70180   Message #1199586
Posted By: GUEST,Fantum
03-Jun-04 - 03:55 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Robin Hood song
Subject: Lyr Add: ROBIN HOOD (from Fred Wedlock)

Right here we go. Words stolen from a Fred Wedlock album. All mistakes are mine and I claim them.

ROBIN HOOD
(Dave Turner, as recorded by Fred Wedlock)

Robin Hood was a bloke who robbed across the land
Firing arrows here and there.
He fired at the rich and mowed down the poor
And now and then he'd hit a passing deer.

Maid Marion was his missus and she had two lovely eyes
And feet as big as boats,
But he let her hang around cos she's the only bird he'd found
What would fetch him out his Nottingham Evening Post.

CHORUS:
Oh, Robin was a bloke and he owned many bows,
And he kept 'em all nice and clean.
He died in his prime at the age of 89 (46, 23)
With a nasty case of eyeball gangrene.

He had a fight on a log with a man called Little Jog
And he made Robin look a proper twit.
He upped with his pole and he scored a perfect goal
And knocked Robin flying in the water.

When it came to singing songs, well, they could not go wrong.
Their minstrel's name was Alan-a-Dale.
He minstrelled through the day and he minstrelled through the night
So they drowned him in a keg of Watney's Pale.
CHORUS

He was walking through the woods, this randy Robin Hood,
With most of his merry men,
When, to make a song real crude, by them dashed a nude
And he never seen his merry men again.

A man was being hung and Robin said, "That's wrong.
I'll stop your ex-i-cut-i-on," he said.
So he loaded up his bow and he let his arrow go
And shot the poor bugger through the head.

Oh, the friar's name was Tuck and he didn't give a damn.
No, he didn't ever help them in a fight.
He wouldn't help them hunt, the lazy rotten friar.
He just sat around and fed himself all night.
CHORUS

As long as birds are here, as long as blokes drink beer,
As long as two and two make five,
As long as clipper ships keep on smuggling cannabis pips,
The name of Robin Hood will stay alive.

It will bounce across the land. It will be passed from hand to hand,
His deeds exaggerated by the gross.
They'll glorify his name and cover up with fame
The thieving robbing rat-bag that he was.




Bit of poetic license I think with Little John. Fred sang it with the age of Robin changing so I have copied that. He invited the audience to pick any number they liked. I learned it some years ago and ain't used it in yonks. Perhaps its time to take it out dust it of and go torture an audience somewhere.

Lots of luck with it

Fantum
A guest because the machine don't love me

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Robin Head the Pusher (Fred Wedlock)
From: Jeri
Date: 07 Jun 12 - 05:35 PM

As Ian Anderson pointed out above (in March), the song Robin Head was written by Keith Christmas.

---

Thanks, Jeri. I made attribution changes as shown above. I wish Spotify would include songwriter identification.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Robin Head (Keith Christmas)
From: Jeri
Date: 07 Jun 12 - 06:31 PM

Thanks, Joe.
I think the attribution is probably on an album somewhere ("Brighter Day" by KC, and ? by FW), but a lot of things such as composers' names don't carry over into the e-world.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Robin Head the Pusher (Fred Wedlock)
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 08 Jun 12 - 07:11 AM

Mondegreens appear everywhere: I've only heard this once & thought the final line was a marvelous pun on 'Nottingham'. I had heard the line:
For Robin Deals for the countryside, and the Sheriff does Notting Hammmmmmm!

As, "and the sheriff does not him hang!"

Oh dear, another illusion shattered!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Robin Head the Pusher (Fred Wedlock)
From: GUEST,Alex Watson
Date: 18 Sep 16 - 11:12 AM

I've been doing this song for decades with great success, but I was always a bit disappointed with the ending, which isn't all that funny and tended to leave the audience wondering. In my version I end with:

'But now our story has to end
And happier than it might seem;
For Robin's still dealing in the countryside
And the Sheriff smokes Lincoln Green.'

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Robin Head the Pusher (Fred Wedlock)
From: GUEST,Alex Watson
Date: 18 Sep 16 - 11:27 AM

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Robin Head the Pusher (Fred Wedlock)
From: rollo5014
Date: 29 Nov 16 - 05:15 PM

To give credit where it's due I have a live recording of Dave Turner singing "Robin Was A Bloke" at Carrington folk club, Nottingham in 1975 and he introduces it as "a song written for me by Fred Wedlock"