Lyr ADD: Chew Magna Cha Cha Cha - Wurzels

Subject: Lyr Req: Chew Magna Cha-Cha-Cha
From: GUEST,Roland Scales
Date: 30 Jan 24 - 03:29 PM

Hello everyone. I know it's not strictly traditional, but an example of 1960s West Country ("Scrumpy n' Western") knockabout dialect humour which probably got an airing in the folk clubs in Somerset, Devon and Gloucestershire nevertheless. My main interest is in traditional music, but I quite like Adge Cutler songs too.

Does anyone have the complete set of words, please? I've listened carefully to a recording several times through, but there are still some lines that I'm missing, mostly (to me) obscure placenames.

All the best

Roly

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Chew Magna Cha Cha Cha - Wurzels
From: cnd
Date: 30 Jan 24 - 03:51 PM

Hi Roland, I likely won't be able to help much, as I'm an American who finds themselves increasingly baffled each time I try to cipher a British dialectical piece, but posting what you've got so far, no matter how rough, is greatly beneficial. Hopefully a Briton will come along soon and fill in the blanks.

Here's a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLCDIatK0Kk

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Chew Magna Cha Cha Cha - Wurzels
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 30 Jan 24 - 06:50 PM

As a Yank I really like the musical group.

In the mid 1970's I was swapping "Beach Boys" casset tapes for "Wurzel" tapes across the pond.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

For a hoot and a hollar listen to a true Somerset lad, in dialect, describe how to castrate a piglet.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Chew Magna Cha Cha Cha - Wurzels
From: GUEST,Roland Scales
Date: 31 Jan 24 - 04:43 AM

I'm afraid to say, I grew up with a very similar accent as I used to live halfway up the next county. Nevertheless, some subtleties still escape me.


Now down on our farm nowadays
The boys have got the latest dancing craze;
They wriggle an’ giggle,
Shout, “Ooh arr!”
‘Tis the Chew Magna cha-cha-cha
No jumped-up(?) [____] tango
Wi’ a Farrington Gurney fandango
Oh, ‘tis the dance they do, ooh arr!
‘Tis the Chew Magna cha-cha-cha

Take ‘er easy, not too hard,
Cha-cha slowly through the old farmyard;
Through the pig-sty
With a happy will
Cha-cha through the old pigswill;
You can see us country boys do it,
From [____] to Hinton Blewett
Oh, ‘tis the dance they do, ooh arr!
‘Tis the Chew Magna cha-cha-cha

Take ‘er easy, mind the cat;
Mind ol’ Jarge’s Zunday milkin’ hat;
Mind the zider,
Barrels strong;
Don’t fall head-fust in the dung;
All o’ the cows have got the sensation,
They say ‘tis better’n artificial insem’nation
Oh, ‘tis the dance they do, ooh arr!
‘Tis the Chew Magna cha-cha-cha

Take ‘er easy, mind the [___];
Cha-cha slowly ‘neath ol’ dung-cart;
Not too fast,
And not too quick
Cha-cha down to Stanton Wick;
No jumped-up [____] tango
Wi’ a Farringdon Gurney fandango
Oh, ‘tis the dance they do, ooh arr!
‘Tis the Chew Magna cha-cha-cha

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Chew Magna Cha Cha Cha - Wurzels
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Jan 24 - 04:51 AM

Erratum : Should be, Farrington Gurney, with a T. I hope North Zummerzet people will forgive I, just as I forgive they for a-votin' for thuck thurr Rees-Mogg creature.

---

Correction added. Thanks for posting these lyrics. I was stumped. -Joe Offer, Mudcat Music Editor-

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Chew Magna Cha Cha Cha - Wurzels
From: cnd
Date: 31 Jan 24 - 08:38 PM

The one prior to Hinton Blewett I believe is Norton Malreward.

I think the first line of the last stanza is "Take her easy, mind the start"

I think the final remaining blank is probably Tamerton, short for Tamerton Foliot (of Devon), but it's possible it could also be Tiverton or Thorverton, both also of Devon. There's no closer matches worthy of making the Wikipedia pages for "places" in Somerset, Devon and Gloucestershire counties.

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Chew Magna Cha Cha Cha - Wurzels
From: GUEST,Roland
Date: 01 Feb 24 - 02:09 PM

Thanks for that! Norton Malreward!Population: 246, some 13 years ago. Small wonder I'd never heard of it!