Lyr Add: One Little Sip (Si Kahn)

Subject: Lyr Add: ONE LITTLE SIP (Si Kahn, via Matt Watroba
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 30 Jun 20 - 08:21 AM

I found this recording on Spotify and transcribed it. Since there are numerous small differences between this and the version Jacob B posted above, I thought I ought to post it.

Si Kahn advertises Matt Watroba's album on his own website, but I see no indication that Si ever recorded this song himself.

He did, however, write the liner notes, and he says (writing in the third person):

One Little Sip: This song was once titled "Three Old Jokes." Why, you might well ask. Well, please don’t tell anyone, but one night long ago Si was watching the Jackie Gleason Show. Yes, we know, we know, this is not exactly the image you have of Si. But he really really was watching the Jackie Gleason show, and Jackie told these three old – in fact, very old – jokes. What else was Si supposed to do?

ONE LITTLE SIP
(Si Kahn)
As recorded by Matt Watroba on "The Far Si: The Si Kahn Funny Song Sing-Along Songbook" (2020)

I was the pride of the Chamber of Commerce;
At church, such a promising lad
That a prominent Kentucky distillery
Asked me to pose for an ad.
Though my lips had never touched liquor,
I consented in greed and in haste.
As I lifted my glass for the cam'ra,
I decided to take just one taste.

CHORUS: A little sip, and another, and another,
And another, and another, and another,
And another, and another, and another, and another,
And another, and another, and another.

Now if you take a big glass of water,
And you take a bucket of booze,
And you set 'em in front of a donkey,
Which one do you think he will choose?
Well, he'll walk right up to the water,
And lap it straight out of the glass.
Why do you think that he does it?
Well, he does it because he's an ass. CHORUS

My uncle started in drinking
On the day he could first lift a cup.
Through eighty-three years and twelve children,
He never once sobered up.
You might think this ruined his system,
But I tell you somethin' that's true:
We dug him up for his birthday,
And, by God, he looks better than you. CHORUS TWICE

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: One Little Sip by Si Kahn
From: Charley Noble
Date: 07 Sep 01 - 08:11 AM

Larry - Ask him to confirm whether he wrote "Fresh-Water Whaling/Superior Sperm"; he's not responding to our e-mail inquiry. Inquiring minds want to know!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: One Little Sip by Si Kahn
From: InOBU
Date: 07 Sep 01 - 06:37 AM

The great Si Kahn is going to be performing at a folk festival Jan. 25 in North Carolina on the same night as our own humble (HA!) band, Sorcha Dorcha... details to follow!!! Cheers (ps He is great!)
Larry

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: One Little Sip by Si Kahn
From: Charley Noble
Date: 06 Sep 01 - 08:26 PM

Some day Si Kahn is going to have to put out his recording of songs with no redeeming social value.;-)

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: One Little Sip by Si Kahn
From: Jacob B
Date: 05 Sep 01 - 11:23 PM

I've no idea whether or not it's recorded. I know it from a concert performance. I'm assuming that he wrote it, since every other song he sang in the concert was one of his, and he didn't credit it to anyone else.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: One Little Sip by Si Kahn
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 Sep 01 - 03:58 PM

Great song, Jacob. I can't find it on Si Kahn's Website (click). Any idea where I might find a recording?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: Lyr Add: ONE LITTLE SIP (Si Kahn)
From: Jacob B
Date: 05 Sep 01 - 03:31 PM

In the Songs About Grandparents thread I mentioned this song. As far as I can tell, it is not in the Digitrad or the forum, so I'm posting it here.

It's by Si Kahn. I'm told that the tune is an old hymn tune - does anyone know the name of it?

ONE LITTLE SIP
Si Kahn

I was the pride of the Chamber of Commerce
In church such a promising lad
That a prominent Canadian distillery
Asked me to pose for an ad
Though me lips had never touched liquor
I agreed, in greed and in haste
As I stood there holding the bottle
I decided to take just one taste

(chorus)
One little sip, then another, then another,
then another, then another, then another,
then another, then another, then another, then another,
then another, then another, then another.

Now if you take a big glass of water
And you take a bucket of booze
And you put them in front of a donkey
Which one do you think he would choose?
Why, he'd walk right up to the water
And lap it right out of the glass.
Now why do you think that he does that?
Why, he does it because he's an ass.

One little sip ....

My grandfather started in drinking
On the day he could first hold a cup
Through 96 years and twelve children
He never once sobered up.
Now you might think it ruined his system
But I'll tell you something that's true.
We dug him up for his birthday
And by God, he looked better than you.

One little sip ....