Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant (Pete McNab)

Subject: One Eyed Cormorant
From: cyder_drinker
Date: 05 Oct 01 - 07:02 PM

Someone sang a song at a session earlier today,
"I'm a one-eyed cormorant who's looking for a shag".

Does anyone have the full words please?
--
Wurzel

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 02:51 AM

Wurzel

I think Pete Macnab has got the words, indeed I think he may have written it - I haven't got his address, but you can probably get it via Verna Connelly, [e-mail].

Kitty

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant
From: Charley Noble
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 11:59 AM

Oh, please! Track down this one.;-)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant
From: Mr Red
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 05:19 PM

Pete McNab it is, he lives down in near Cheddar.
Its a cracker
he sang it at the Upton FF in May.
with a name like Wurzel you may be in his area and it may have been him singing it.
ask any folkie in that area of Somerset & they will point you in his direction.
if I get details I will post what I can find.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 14 Oct 01 - 08:50 AM

Wurzel

I saw Verna at Banbury yesterday. She confirmed that Pete McNab wrote the song for a competition at a Scottish festival. He lives in Upper New Road, Cheddar.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant
From: cyder_drinker
Date: 14 Oct 01 - 09:48 AM

Thanks for the info - If the words don't find their way onto this forum, I'll have to try and track this fellow down!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant
From: fleetwood
Date: 15 Oct 01 - 07:05 PM

refresh - this song sounds as though it shouldn't get away

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant
From: Dunc
Date: 16 Oct 01 - 04:06 AM

I can confirm that it was indeed Pete MacNab who wrote this song.
I know 'cause he's my big brother!!!
He came up to visit me at the time of the Glenfarg Village Folk Club's April Folk Feast three or four years ago.
The Folk Feast has a song competition each year and on this occasion the theme was anything to do with birds. (All money raised at the event was donated to a rescue centre for oil damaged sea birds)
He didn't win the competition but came second.
I know he's my brother and that I am bound to be biased but HE WAS ROBBED!!!
Most people, other than the judge, were of a similar opinion.
I don't have the words, but will get in touch with him and get them posted - It is one of the funniest songs he's written and he has come up with a few crackers over the years. (More than me - but thats because he's a LOT older than myself)
Dunc McNab

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant
From: Dunc
Date: 17 Oct 01 - 03:35 AM

I have spoken with the man himself to ask him to post the words to this song..... however him modem has passed away to the hardware scrapyard in the sky.
Once he is up and running again..watch this space for the words.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant
From: GUEST,ANDY
Date: 17 Oct 01 - 03:25 PM

Spoke to Pete tonight he asked me to let you all know that he will release the lyrics to his ornithological song,as soon as he gets his modem sorted, or if I can prize the words out of him by Friday they will appear on this medium for your delectation and delight.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant
From: Charley Noble
Date: 17 Oct 01 - 05:55 PM

We may have to write our own version if you folks don't hurry it up. Mudcats want their music NOW!;-)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 22 Oct 01 - 11:39 AM

Thread creep (excuse for old jokes).The boatmen on the Scilly Isles tease the grockles (tourists) that you can tell a cormorant from a shag because one has 12 feathers in its tail and the other has 13.
If anyone asks you the difference, of course, the acceptable answer is: "I don't know, it's a long time since I had a good cormorant".
RtS (what did you expect? Jack Benny?)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant
From: Mr Red
Date: 22 Oct 01 - 03:32 PM

now I can tell that story is a myth because in Kernak the correct form of description for tourist is emmet or as they say in English "ant". Grockles is a term more common in Devon and Zummerset.
a small point but this afternoon I saw the very words posted
and my post on the London folk thread got discombuberated, so we have had a crash. I think today's posts have been cormoranted. Or it took a dive.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant
From: cyder_drinker
Date: 22 Oct 01 - 07:13 PM

[Mr Red] Where were they posted? Can you do a blue clicky thing?
I have to go away tomorrow morning, and would love to take the words with me...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant
From: GUEST,Mr Red at work
Date: 23 Oct 01 - 12:24 PM

It may have been brain fade. the thread on "Breathalised" was alo one of my visits. I will try to find Pete's tel no and see what we can do. He may not want to post. Have a nice holiday.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant
From: Mr Red
Date: 23 Oct 01 - 02:40 PM

I rang Pete, and he was aware of the interest. He is in the process of making a CD which is mere weeks away. He will be at Upton Folk Festival in early May.
I told him the story above about the difference between shag & comorant and he (in all seriousness) reported shags are more common in Scotland (!!) comorants in the south, and shag don't venture inland.
Pete has just written a song about a peacock with a limp. A veritable imaginary menagerie.
but sorry - no lyrics he is thinking about publishing, maybe here. Wait for the CD.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Oct 01 - 09:20 AM

WE WANT THIS SONG NOW!!!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant
From: Mr Red
Date: 01 Nov 01 - 12:25 PM

Its a cracker, but I don't have the words. Book him for your festival or club. He also sings with Anita and they go under the name of Macanabba. PM me here if you are considering it & I will give you his phone number (at library so don't have it to hand).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant
From: Teribus
Date: 07 Oct 02 - 05:04 AM

Any further news on the CD with this song on it?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant
From: Mr Red
Date: 07 Oct 02 - 07:36 AM

NO - sorry but I will keep one eye on it.............
I'll get my coat

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant
From: Teribus
Date: 07 Oct 02 - 07:39 AM

Thanks Mr. Red LOL!!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant
From: Fergie
Date: 12 Feb 04 - 11:56 AM

We are running out of patience. Has the CD seen the light of day yet? We want those words NOW. (((please)))
Fergus

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant
From: GUEST,Peter
Date: 13 Feb 04 - 03:42 PM

refresh...I'm also dying for the lyrics

Subject: lyrics required Cormorant song
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 27 Apr 09 - 06:41 AM

Has anyone got the lyrics to 'I'm a one eyed cormorant looking for a shag' which is sung to the tune of 'putting on the agony'

Subject: RE: lyrics required Cormorant song
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 27 Apr 09 - 07:17 AM

I've not got the words but it was written by Pete McNab of Cheddar for a cometition on the theme of ornithology.
He also wrote a sequel to the same tune with the bird's further adventures.

Subject: RE: lyrics required Cormorant song
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 27 Apr 09 - 07:48 PM

Thanks for that. Do you have a contact for Pete McNab?

Subject: RE: lyrics required Cormorant song
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 28 Apr 09 - 02:42 AM

Jeff - if you're singing with the Exmouth shantymen at Upton, it's probably worth making inquiries there; Pete's been booked at the festival (with Hen's Teeth)in past years.

Kitty

Subject: RE: lyrics required Cormorant song
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 28 Apr 09 - 06:54 AM

Will be there. Please point him out Kitty, presuming you/'re going.Jeff

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 28 Apr 09 - 07:16 AM

Hey, just found this old thread, it went cold. I recently opened a new one and hope to trace the elusive mr. McNab to Upton this weekend.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Apr 09 - 09:30 AM

Odd that no one has posted the lyrics to this one in all these years. Are they that vile?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: lyrics required Cormorant song
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 28 Apr 09 - 03:09 PM

We're at a 60th birthday bash in Dorset next weekend, so won't be at Upton. But I'm sure you'll find Pete if he's there!

Kitty

Subject: RE: lyrics required Cormorant song
From: Mr Red
Date: 29 Apr 09 - 07:04 AM

Pete was asked some time ago if he would provide the lyrics. He declined then, I was the one who phoned him. There is a thread on it if you go back far enough. Say 10 years max.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 29 Apr 09 - 07:23 AM

Not vile, humerous with plenty of inuendo and terrible puns.

I think that Pete did not want to release the lyrics until he had the song available as a recording and that events have delayed things, I've left the group, Pete and Anita's son is now in New Zealand as far as I know and they have spent some time travelling over there.

Robin

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant
From: Charley Noble
Date: 29 Apr 09 - 09:34 AM

Robin-

Sounds like my favorite kind of song.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant (Pete McNab)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 29 Apr 09 - 05:35 PM

Thanks Robin/ BBCW - I was going to suggest contacting you, but had forgotten your Mudcat name!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant (Pete McNab)
From: GUEST,John C
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 12:45 PM

It was sung on Saturday (8th August) in South Zeal during the Dartmoor Folk festival. Hence my search here to find a copy of the words.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant (Pete McNab)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 04:05 PM

I have contact info for Pete Mc Nab if you PM me, but you'd need to become a Mudcat member to do that. I would guess that the singer at South Zeal was Gideon Barrett from Hanging Johnny because he was singing in the Oxenham Arms at South Zeal during the Dartmoor Folk Festival...

Kitty

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant (Pete McNab)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 08:23 PM

It's just a question of time till this song finally surfaces here.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant (Pete McNab)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 Aug 09 - 11:45 PM

I don't get the etymological meaning of all this, but there seems to be some ornithological punning going on.

Here's Wikipedia's article about the Guanay Cormorant, also known as the Guanay Shag, Phalacrocorax bougainvillii, which lives along the coast of Peru and Chile.

I'm guessing that "Guanay" is pronounced something like "one-eye".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant (Pete McNab)
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 06:56 AM

The pun is in the first line
'I'm a one eyed cormorant looking for a shag'

   a shag is both a name for a member of the cormorant family and a british slang term for sexual intercourse. The song ends with the line....she was my first shag... normally a memorable occasion.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant (Pete McNab)
From: GUEST,The elusive pimpernel!
Date: 05 Oct 09 - 03:17 PM

I don't want an Eider duck or a drake that's dressed in drag
The bird I wants a cracker........................

That's all for now folks!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant (Pete McNab)
From: GUEST,rogertheplonker
Date: 01 Nov 10 - 09:58 AM

Has anyone yet got the lyrics to the 'One eyed Cormorant lookin for a Shag' please. Twas sung at the Bampton Folk fest this last weekend, and no doubt many many times before that. A recording would be good enough, to extract the words.

Roger Plonker
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant (Pete McNab)
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 02 Nov 10 - 08:57 AM

I've just come across some old cassettes of our group practices...
but it's not on them!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant (Pete McNab)
From: Lady Policeman
Date: 02 Nov 10 - 03:47 PM

Chorus:

Oh I'm a one-eyed cormorant I'm looking for a shag,
I don't want an Eider duck or a drake that's dressed in drag
The bird I want's a cracker, a one eyed little dish
With a twinkle in her one good eye and her breath that smells of fish.........                   (I think)

It was Gideon Barrett from Hanging Johnny who sang it yet again! Always requested. Sorry don't know all the verses.
Great song to lift a session when it's getting a bit dirgy!

Kath

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant (Pete McNab)
From: GUEST,Alan Whittle
Date: 02 Nov 10 - 04:23 PM

That sounds brilliant. why don't we have a revolution in this country. Life wouldn't be so bad - we could manage to live through shitty economic times, if you could turn on the telly and hear great songs like that.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant (Pete McNab)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 02 Nov 10 - 05:25 PM

I've not seen Pete McNab at a festival this year, but I have heard Gideon sing One Eyed Cormorant. Might be worth e-mailing Hanging Johnny for info before they disband....

Kitty

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant (Pete McNab)
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 03 Nov 10 - 04:52 AM

Last line of the chorus in Pete's Scottish accent..

Wi' a twinkle in her ain gud ee an' a breath that reeks of fish.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant (Pete McNab)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 19 Sep 11 - 10:41 AM

Thread refresh for Soldierboy...

Kitty

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant (Pete McNab)
From: Myrtle's cook
Date: 14 Aug 12 - 11:29 AM

Pete sang this song at a sing around at Saltburn festival, but due to aching laughter I forgot to ask for the words.

He then went on to win the Singer Song writer competition with an equally good (though serious) song.

Congratulations sir - should you or your brother pick up this thread!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant (Pete McNab)
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Aug 12 - 02:35 PM

I have emailed Pete McNab on two occasions within the last year to ask him if I could use this song in my reportoire, I have not had a reply to either of them.
That of course is his choice, a reply would have been nice if only to say no.
As Harvey Andrews said to me some years back a song not sung is a dead song.