Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: GUEST,Grandma Ruthie Date: 06 Mar 24 - 08:13 PM While the organist peeled bananas, Lard was rendered by the choir. While the Preston rang the dishrags, Someone set the church afire. "Holy Smoke!" the preacher shouted! In the rush he lost his hair. Now his head resembles Heaven for there is no parting there! |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: GUEST,Diana Harbour Date: 12 Jun 21 - 06:39 AM While the organ peeled potatoes, Lard was rendered by the choir. While the sextant wrang the dishrag, Someone set the church on fire. "Holy smoke" the preacher shouted. In the rush, he lost his hair. Now his head resembles heaven, For there is no parting there! |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: GUEST Date: 23 Feb 21 - 02:13 PM While the organ peeled potatoes Lard was rendered by the choir Etc Someone set the church on fire Holy smoke the preacher shouted In the rush he lost his b hair Now his head is like the heave Since there is no parting there |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: John C. Bunnell Date: 18 Apr 19 - 04:20 AM Reading through the thread, it seems to me we've got three or four distinct sets of verses which have become tangled one with another due to either similar scansion or association with a common tune. I make out: (a) the church narrative ("the organ pealed potatoes"), (b) the "barefoot boy" story ("it was moonlight on the ocean"), and (c) the "boarding house" story ("At the boarding house I lived in"), with Emily's "sweet day in September" verse probably a fourth. [Except that I now find the church and boarding-house verses stitched together by one Raymond Crooke. Hmmm.] At any rate, the one I recognize is the "boarding house" song, because that one pops up in the Irish Rovers' discography as follows (to a tune which is definitely not "Silver Threads Among the Gold"): MRS. CRANDALL'S BOARDINGHOUSE Recorded by the Irish Rovers ("Tales to Warm Your Mind", Decca 1973) In the boarding house I lived in, ev'rything was growing old; Silver threads among the butter, and the cheese was green with mo-o-old; When the dog died we had sausages, when the cat died, catnip tea, When the landlord died, I left there -- spareribs were too much for me.... REFRAIN Oh, my dear Mrs. Crandall, I think I like you a lot; I live in your house, quiet as a mouse; Someday you'll be cau-au-aught.... Well, girls can never change their nature -- it is quite beyond their reach; Mrs. Crandall is a lemon; she can never be a pea-ea-each; But the law of compensation is the one I always preach: You can always squeeze a lemon; have you tried to squeeze a pea-ea-each? REFRAIN The train was standing at the station; I was rushing, full of care; When I tripped on her cat and I stumbled, and fell headlo-ong down the stairs; Mrs. Crandall came up to me: "Did you miss a step, me son?" "No," I says, "My dear landlady, I hit ev'ry blooming o-o-one!" REFRAIN |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: Pappy Fiddle Date: 16 Apr 19 - 05:18 PM Real incident: We were at a church picnic, outside where there were some picnic tables. Ours was not quite level. Someone upslope spilled the milk and it came running down the table toward us. My wife hollered "Dam it!" which raised an eyebrow or two |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: GUEST Date: 15 Apr 19 - 08:02 PM down near the end - Holy Smoke, the preacher shouted, as he sadly pulled his hair - For now his head resembles heaven - for there is no parting there. -- Effe Simpson |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: GUEST,G-doc Date: 23 Sep 18 - 09:41 AM In the church around the corner, lard was rendered by the choir; While the organ peeled potatoes, someone set the church on fire. Holy smoke, the preacher shouted. In the blaze he lost his hair; Now his head resembles Heaven, for there is no parting there! (All I remember from 1940) G-doc |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: GUEST,Grishka Date: 07 Mar 18 - 03:02 PM Variants are the pleasure of stamp collectors, so they are welcome here as well. However: authentication is essential! "My granddad used to sing:" is not enough. At least we want to know where the singers live/d and whether they tended to be creative or tradition-conscious. If the source is a vinyl record, please make an effort to identify it and name the lyricist, composer and musicians. This said, I am charmed by the above song, which seems to be a 20th century adaptation of a topos from the 18th century – and still funny, in many languages and cultures! This author added a becoming pun flavour. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: Bill D Date: 06 Mar 18 - 02:21 PM I am in awe still today at the number of identical..or close-to-identical posts by those who simply don't bother to READ the thread. Do they really think THEIR version is so rare? I suppose there will be more... |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: GUEST,Lee Date: 04 Mar 18 - 03:23 PM It was midnight on the ocean, Not a streetcar was in sight; While the sun was shining brightly, For it had rained all the night. 'Twas a summer's day in Winter, And the rain was snowing fast, As the barefoot girl with shoes on Stood there sitting in the grass. Glory, glory, what a story! Glory, glory, tell me more-ee! Glory, glory, she'll be sorry! As the barefoot girl with shoes on Stood there sitting in the grass. It was evening and the sunrise Was just setting in the west; And the fishes in the treetops Were all cuddled in their nests. As the wind was blowing bubbles, Lightning shot from left to right; Everything that you could see Had been hidden out of sight. Glory, glory, I can't find it! Glory, glory, who's behind it? Glory, glory, where'd they hide it? Everything that you could see Had been hidden out of sight! While the organ peeled potatoes, Lard was rendered by the choir; When the sexton rang the dishrag, Someone set the church on fire. "Holy Smokes!" the preacher shouted, As he madly tore his hair, Now his head resembles heaven, For there is no parting there. Glory, glory, what a shiny dome! Glory, glory, get that man a comb! Glory, glory, that's the end of my poem! Now his head resembles heaven, For there is no parting there. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: GUEST Date: 23 Feb 18 - 10:44 PM My old Irish grandfather used to sing it this way: While the organ peeled bananas Lard was rendered by the choir And the saxons rang the dishrags Someone set the church on fire Holy smoke the preacher shouted In the rush he lost his hair Now his head resembles heaven For there is no poarting there GOOD EVENING FRIENDS |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: GUEST Date: 21 Jul 17 - 11:36 AM While the organ peeled potatoes........ Lard was rendered by the choir... As the church bells....... Holy smoke the preacher shouted.. . in the rush he lost his hair Now his head resembles heaven...for there is no parting there |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: GUEST Date: 27 Jun 17 - 12:53 PM Lard was rendered by the choir While the sexton rang the dishrag Someone set the church on fire Holy Smoke the preacher shouted As he threw his wig in air there is no parting there. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: Mo the caller Date: 12 Oct 13 - 11:51 AM This thread also reminded me of Steve's verse, the version we used to say (London, early 50s) I went to the pictures tomorrow I took a front seat at the back (or ... in the row) I fell from the pit to the gallery And hurt a front bone in my back. There was also The elephant is a pretty bird It flits from bough to bough It makes it's nest in a rhubarb tree And whistles like a cow. Must try that one out on me 5 yr old grandson. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 11 Oct 13 - 08:59 PM I found a Cherry Ames book in a charity shop recently! Mountaineer Nurse Cherry Ames - Wikipedia The series was published 1943 - 1968 |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: GUEST,Summerwind Date: 11 Oct 13 - 07:16 PM I remember this from an old Cherry Ames book, may not be word for word: The organ peeled potatoes Lard was rendered by the choir; The sexton wrung the dishrag, Someone set the church on fire! "Holy Smoke" the preacher shouted, In the fire he lost his hair. Now his head resembles heaven, For there is no parting there. Cherry Ames was a series for teen-age girls, about a girl going through nursing school, and her adventures after. Each book was about a different sort of nursing. My aunt gave me 7 of the first 8 of the series, and I filled in and added for a while. I'll guess they were originally from the '40s, along with Nancy Drew. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: GUEST,Auntie tree Date: 16 Jul 13 - 12:35 PM While the organ peeled potatoes, Lard was rendered by the choir. While the sexton tolled the church bell, someone set the church on fire Holy smoke, the preacher shouted. In the rush he lost his hair. Now his head will be like heaven, for there is no parting there. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: GUEST Date: 03 May 13 - 07:51 PM As the organ peeled bananas Lard was rendered by the chior As the sextant wrang his dish towel Someone set the church on fire Holy smoke, the preacher shouted In the rush, he lost his hair Now his head reseambles heaven For there is no parting there! |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: GUEST Date: 18 Nov 12 - 11:57 PM this poem has a few variations, the farthest back i have found it was in an old reader from the 1840's. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: Steve Parkes Date: 19 Apr 12 - 07:52 AM Back in the 50's my old mate Bob Breedon used to come out with: I went to the pictures tomorrow, I took a front seat at he back. A lady, she gave me some choc'lates; I ate them and gave them her back. I dare say there were a great many of these between the wars, on the wireless or on records. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: GUEST Date: 16 Apr 12 - 09:15 PM This is how I learned it: When the organ "pealed" bananas Lard was rendered by the choir. When the sexton rang the disrag someone set the church on fire. Holy Smoke, the preacher shouted, In this rush he lost his hair. Now his head resembles heaven. For there is no parting there. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: GUEST,Granddaughter Emily Date: 07 Mar 12 - 01:07 AM Oh my gosh!!! My Grandma taught this to me when i was young!!! I recite it to my children now ive always wondered if i had it even close THANK YOU!!! Twas a sweet day in September, Last October in July; The sun lay thick upon the ground, The mud shown in the sky. The flowers were singing sweetly, The birds were full of bloom, As I went into the cellar To sweep an upstairs room. The time was Tuesday morning, On Wednesday just at night; I saw a thousand miles away A house just out of sight. The walls projected backwards, The front was round the back; As I stood alone with others, The fence was whitewashed black. She used to also sing: As the organist peeled bananas Lard was rendered by the choir While the sexton rang the dishrag Some one set the church on fire. HOLY SMOKES the preacher shouted! As his wig flew in the air Now his head resembles heaven -for there is no parting there. I miss her everyday. Thank you for the memories! |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: GUEST,Grishka Date: 24 Nov 10 - 10:36 AM Spaw, like most of us, GUEST wayne doesn't want to read, he'd love to know. Some ketchup with it, please, and wrap it in silver paper. Yes, I have been caught missing some point upthread in other cases. This thread however has an entertainment factor above average, i.e. very high. Love it! |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: catspaw49 Date: 24 Nov 10 - 06:28 AM And you will if you read the rest of the thread! Spaw |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: GUEST,wayne: this is all i remember Date: 24 Nov 10 - 06:04 AM while the organ peeled potatoes lard was rendered by the choir as the preacher preached his sermon some one set the church on fire "holy smokes" the preacher shouted as his wig flew in the air now his head resembles heaven as there is no parting there id love to know the rest i remember it was posted in dear abby many years ago. my mother and father used to sing it when i was a child |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: Jim Dixon Date: 11 Jul 10 - 12:43 AM From Virginia Reel, Volume 1 (Charlottesville: University of Virginia, May 15, 1920), page 21: HOW COULD IT DID? It was midnight on the ocean, Not a street car was in sight, The sun was shinging [sic] brightly, And it rained all day that night. It was a summer's day in winter, And the rain was snowing fast, As a barefoot girl with shoes on Stood sitting in the grass. It was evening and the rising sun Was setting in the west, The little fishes in the trees Were cuddled in their nests. The rain was pouring down, The sun was shinging [sic] bright, And everything that could be seen Was hidden out of sight. While the organ peeled potatoes, Lard was rendered by the choir, As the sexton rang the dish-rag Some one set the church on fire. "Holy smoke," the preacher shouted, In the rain he lost his hair, Now his head resembles heaven— For there is no parting there. —Phi Delta Phi Show and others. Ax-I-Dent-Ax, Volume 6 (Midvale, Utah: United States Smelting, Refining, and Mining Company, June 22, 1920), No. 12, page 12: A MIX-UP 'Twas a wintry day in summer, The rain was snowing fast, When a barefoot boy with shoes on Sat standing on the grass. While the organ peeled potatoes, Lard was rendered by the choir, While the sexton rang the dish rag, Someone set the church afire. "Holy Smoke" the preacher shouted, And in the rush he lost his hair. Now his head resembles heaven For there is no parting there. His death, which happened in his berth, At forty-odd befell, They went and told the sexton, And the sexton tolled the bell. From The Independent, Volume 103 (New York: Independent Corporation, Sept. 18, 1920), page 325: It was midnight on the ocean. Not a street car was in sight; The sun was shining brightly, For it rained all day that night. We walked along a country road In a city dry and dusty. And piling thru the awful mud Sure made our axles rusty. We came upon a farmer's house, No dwelling could we see; The busy farmer plowed his field, An idle man was he. 'Twas a zero day in summer, The rain felt just like glass, A barefoot boy with shoes on Stood sitting in the grass. We asked him for some water, He brought us wine instead: "Miracles will never cease," The deaf and dumb boy said. —Sun Dial. The same poem, with the same attribution "Sun Dial" appeared in Labor Digest, Volume 12 (Minneapolis: E. E. Stevens, Oct., 1920), page 45. From Boy's Life, (New York: Boy Scouts of America, June, 1921) page 28: CLEAR AS MUD 'Twas midnight on the ocean, Not a street car was in sight, The sun and moon shone brightly, While it rained all day that night. For in the summer snowstorm When the rain flowed just like glass, A barefoot boy with shoes on Stood sitting in the grass. From The Whitin Spindle, Volume 3 (Whitinsville, Mass.: Employees of the Whitin Machine Works, Feb. 1922), No. 7, page 11: MIDNIGHT ON THE OCEAN (Note:—The following is from the sub-base ballast of the Coco Colo Canal Zone. If Balboa beer does this to people, we are fortunate to be in Hawaii.) 'Twas midnight on the ocean, not a horse-car was in sight, When I stepped into the corner store to get myself a light. The man behind the counter was a woman old and grey, Who used to sell bananas on the road to Mandalay. She said, "Hello there, stranger"; her eyes were dry with tears, And she put her head beneath her feet and stood that way for years. Her children were all orphans except one tiny tot, Who lived alone across the street above a vacant lot. As we gazed out through an open door, a whale went drifting by; His legs were hanging in the air, he wore a green necktie. The quietness of the noise was still, the evening star was dawning, A dead horse galloped up and said, "We won't get home 'til morning." "Women and children first," he cried, as he passed his plate for more; He took his hat from off the rack and hung it on the floor: An axe came walking through the air, the clock struck twenty-six, I turned my eyes toward the sky and saw a flock of bricks. And they buried him in the evening when the grass was parched with dew, And he took his razor with him in case his whiskers grew. From The Modern Woodman, Volume 39 (Rock Island, Ill.: Modern Woodmen of America, Feb. 1922), Issue 2, page 38: A LITTLE NONSENSE NOW AND THEN. At a reception recently tendered to Hon. Joseph A. Langfit, Grand Regent of the Royal Arcanum for Pennsylvania, the meeting was entertained by the reading of the following original poem by Vice Regent W. G. Stevenson, which contains more contradictions to the column inch than any other within the writer's knowledge: It was midnight on the ocean. Not a street car was in sight. The sun was shining brightly, And it rained all day that night. 'Twas a summer's day in winter, And the snowflakes fell like glass. A barefoot boy with shoes on Stood sitting on the grass. 'Twas evening and the rising sun Was setting in the west, And the little fishes in the trees Were huddling in their nests. The rain was pouring down And the moon was shining bright, And everything that you could see Was hidden nut of sight. While the organ peeled potatoes, Lard was rendered by the choir. As the sexton rang the dish rag, Someone set the church on fire. "Holy smokes!" the preacher cried. In the rain he lost his hair. Now his head resembles heaven, For there is no parting there. —W. G. Stevenson. [I am skeptical of the attribution to Stevenson.--JD] From The American Flint, Volume 13 (Toledo, Ohio: American Flint Glass Workers' Union of North America, April, 1922), page 38: "from one of the Port Jervis papers some time ago" A RAVING RHYME 'Twas a nice day in October, Last September in July; The moon lay thick upon the ground, The mud shown in the sky. The flowers were singing sweetly, The birds were full of bloom, So I went into the cellar To sweep an upstairs room. The time was Tuesday morning, On Wednesday just at night; I saw a thousand miles away A house just out of sight. The walls projected backwards, The front was round the back; It stood alone with others, The fence was whitewashed black. It was moonlight on the ocean. Not a street car was in sight; The sun was shining brightly And it rained all day that night. It was summer in the winter, And the rain was falling fast; A barefoot boy with shoes on Stood sitting on the grass. It was evening and the rising Stood setting in the night; And everything that I could see, Was hidden from my sight. From Carpenter, Volume 42 (Indianapolis: United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Sept., 1922), No. 9, page 31: A CRAZY RECITATION. It was midnight on the ocean, Not a street car was in sight; The sun was shining brightly, And it rained all day that night. It was evening and the rising sun was setting in the west; The fishes in the pine trees Were cuddled in their nest. 'Twas a summer day in winter, The snow was raining fast, A barefoot girl with shoes on Was sitting on the grass. The rain was pouring downward, The moon was shining bright, And everything that you could see Was hidden out of sight. While the organ peeled potatoes, Lard was rendered by the choir; While the sexton rang the dish rag, Some one set the church on fire. "Holy smoke!" the parson shouted. And the poor guy lost his hair; Now his head is just like Heaven, For there is no parting there. —The Kablegram. The same poem is also printed in Mixer and Server, Volume 31 (Cincinnati: Hotel and Restaurant Employes' International Alliance and Bartenders' International League of America, Nov. 15, 1922), Number 11, page 51. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: GUEST,gpa958 Date: 03 Jul 10 - 04:24 PM the version I remember is available by googling "song the bare foot boy with boots on".I can remember my uncle singing it during the 30's and 40'swhen I was as child. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: mousethief Date: 15 May 10 - 12:31 AM The version of "Late one day in the middle of the night" given on the first page is identical, word-for-word, with the way I learned it in school. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: GUEST Date: 14 May 10 - 09:56 PM Here's how I remember it While the organ peeled potatos Lard was furnished by the choir While the sexton rang the dinner bell Someone set the church on fire Holy somke the preacher shouted As his wig flew in ;the air Now his head resembles heaven For there is no parting there! |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: GUEST,Judy Cook Date: 28 Feb 10 - 02:51 PM Why is it always our dads? My dad's first verse (before the organ peeled potatoes one.) 'Twas midnight on the ocean, not a streetcar was in sight I went into a drugstore to get myself a light The man behind the counter was a woman old and gray Who used to peddle donuts on the road to Mandalay. "Good morning." she said. Her eyes were bright with tears She put her head between her feet and stood that way for years. All her children are orphans, except a tiny tot Who lives in a house across the street above a vacant lot. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: GUEST,Guest.pauley Date: 28 Feb 10 - 12:35 PM When I was a child, my mother would often sing this when we were driving a long distance on vacation. Below is how I remember it. As the organ peeled potatoes, Song was rendered by the choir, As the sexton rang the church bell, Someone set the church on fire, Holy Smokes!! the preacher shouted, In the rush, he lost his hair, Now his head resembles heaven, For there is no parting there. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: GUEST,leeneia Date: 02 Jul 09 - 08:41 AM A complex, if venerable, pun Bill D. ========= It has taken me all this time to figure out 'the organ peeled potatoes.' i.e., it's supposed to be a pun. If I sang this, I would sing 'the church bells pealed...potatoes" |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: catspaw49 Date: 01 Jul 09 - 04:09 PM ...............awferchrissakes........................ Spaw |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: Bill D Date: 01 Jul 09 - 03:39 PM Mr. Chan, the wood seller, was highly sought after for his stocks of excellent Teak, but, after hiring a new boy to help move things in his shed, he was suddenly plagued by thefts from his best stock. The only clues were smallish footprints,and the persistence of the thief. Chan had enough of this. One night, he decided to sit out by his woodshed, waiting for the thief. Sure enough, the boy arrived. From a bag, he removed a bear skin, and covered himself with it...assuming perhaps that anyone looking would see only the silhouette of a bear sniffing about. Chan snorted when he saw this, frightening the lad, who jumped up and ran. The wood seller gave chase, shouting, as one would expect, "Stop, boy-foot bear with teak of Chan!" " |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: GUEST,chillathome Date: 01 Jul 09 - 02:16 PM I remember my dad saying "Curses on you little man, you barefoot boy with cheeks of tan................... The rest of it is gone some twenty years as is my father. Not sure how much more of it there is???? |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: Joe_F Date: 06 Aug 08 - 09:56 PM The good old reliable New Song Fest has The Dying Fisherman's Song It was midnight on the ocean, not a streetcar was in sight; While the sun was shining brightly, for it had rained all the night. 'Twas a summer's day in winter, and the rain was snowing fast, As the barefoot girl with shoes on stood there sitting in the grass. It was evening and the sunrise was just setting in the west; And the fishes in the treetops were all cuddled in their nests. As the wind was blowing bubbles, lightning shot from left to right; Everything that you could see had been hidden out of sight. While the organ peeled potatoes, lard was rendered by the choir; When the sexton rang the dishrag, someone set the church on fire. "Holy Smokes!" the preacher shouted, as he madly tore his hair, Now his head resembles heaven, for there is no parting there. * You dencink? You eskink? I'm eskink if you're dencink. I'm dencink if you're eskink. So I'm eskink. So I'm dencink. * Spring is coming. He is? Not "He is", "It is". It is what? It is coming. What is coming? Spring is coming. He is? |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: Bill D Date: 06 Aug 08 - 07:57 PM Dick...I know the line as included in part of Mary had a little lamb. "Mary had a little watch, she swallowed it one day, And so she took some Castor Oil to pass the time away... But the time it would not pass.... So if you need to know the time, look up Mary's..... Uncle, who has a nice Grandfather's clock. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: Mark Ross Date: 06 Aug 08 - 07:19 PM AIN'T WE CRAZY was recorded by none other than Haywire Mac, Harry Kirby McClintock and his Haywire Orchestra in the late '20's. A great bit of nonsense. Mark Ross |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: dick greenhaus Date: 06 Aug 08 - 05:50 PM There's a verse I'm trying to track down: Baby swallowed an alarm clock ********************************** We feed castor oil to baby Just to pass the time of day. Anyone recall it? I can write a second line, but I might be missing a really good one if I do, |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: GUEST,jimbo Date: 06 Aug 08 - 02:12 AM I'll sing you a little ditty, it's as crazy as can be, The guy who wrote it said he'd keep it as he handed it to me; I found I couldn't use it, 'cause it was so very blue, And that's the very reason why I'm handing it to you. It's the song the alligators sing, when comin' thro' the rye, As they serenade the elephants up in the trees so high; It's the song the iceman sings, as he shovels in the coal, And the monkeys join the chorus up around the northern pole. It was midnight on the ocean, not a streetcar was in sight; I stepped into the drugstore to buy myself a light; The man behind the counter was a woman old and gray, Who used to peddle shoestrings on the road to Mandaly. "Good morning, Sir," the maiden cried; her eyes were dry with tears; She stuck her head beneath her feet and stood that way for years; Her children six were orphans, except one tiny tot; Who lived in the house across the street above the vacant lot. While the organ peeled potatoes, lard was rendered by the choir; And the sexton rung the dishrag someone set the church on fire; "Holy Smoke!" the preacher shouted and his wig flew in the air; Now his head resembles heaven, as there is no parting there. As the cows were making cowslips, the bells were ringing wet; The bumblebees were making bumbles, smoking cigarettes; 'Twas a summer's day in winter and the rain was snowing fast, And the barefoot boy with shoes on stood sitting in the grass. That's the way my old man used to do it. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: Bill D Date: 27 Sep 03 - 12:43 PM "spell centre as center" ...and pronounce it as 'cen-ter' rather than 'cen-tree'....;>) |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: GUEST,barbara Date: 27 Sep 03 - 10:56 AM We always sing these verses to the tune of "Oh Susanna!" |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 27 Sep 03 - 10:12 AM Thanks Lady Jean... goddam American spellers... spell centre as center... etc I dunno... :-) Robin |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: LadyJean Date: 26 Sep 03 - 09:40 PM Bar B Cue comes from the French barbe et cue, beard and tail, meaning they were going to cook the animal from it's beard to it's tail. Barbeque is close to the original. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: Steve Parkes Date: 26 Sep 03 - 04:05 AM Tut-tut, Robin: "barbecue", with a "C"! |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 26 Sep 03 - 01:15 AM One thing that was a joke in the local church youth group was that at a barbeque, someone would be sure to make a comment about "burnt offerings, and whole burnt offerings" Robin |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: LadyJean Date: 26 Sep 03 - 12:40 AM While the organ peeled potatoes Lard was rendered by the choir While the sexton wrang the dishrag Someone set the church on fire. Holy smoke the preacher shouted In the rush he lost his hair. Now his head resembles heaven! For there is no parting there. My church has a service on the street every summer. One year it was to be followed by a picnic. There was a chafing dish sitting on a table with a paper covering, and, you guessed it, it caught fire during the service. Of course I said, "Holy smoke!" Wouldn't you? The fire was out in a few seconds. No damage done. I don't think out pastor even noticed. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 25 Sep 03 - 11:10 PM I first heard the two dead men got up to fight (with slight variations) in the 1950's - I heard it from my grandparents, but it was also popular in Primary School. Obsolete links from above updated (for the moment!) AT THE BOARDING HOUSE AIN'T WE CRAZY Robin |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: Dave Bryant Date: 18 Jul 02 - 10:34 AM The train was standing at the station, when a young man full of care, Running down to reach his carriage, tripped, fell headlong down the stair. An old lady standing by said, "Did you miss a stair my son ?" He replying said "No Madam, I hit every bleedin' one." Girls can never change their nature - it's impossible to beat. If a girl is born a lemon, then they're never be a peach. But the law of compensation is the moral that I teach. You can always squeeze a lemon, have you tried to sqeeze a peach ? |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: While the organ peeled potatoes... From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie) Date: 17 Jul 02 - 04:47 PM Jim, my brother Wilmer sang (still sings), "The Barefoot Boy With Boots On") quite near to the Asa Martin version but different in spots, and he sang it before we ever heard of Asa (grand man). Alan S., I think your poem was in our schoolbooks when I was very little (an age ago). Here's the original: Blessings on thee, little man, Barefoot boy with cheeks of tan With thy turned-up pantaloons And thy merry whistled tunes; And thy red lips, redder still, Kissed by strawberries on the hill. In my heart I give thee joy- I was once a barefoot boy! |
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