Lyr Req: Knitting (Arthur Askey)

Subject: I'm a little knitwit
From: GUEST,Steve Fletcher
Date: 08 Oct 01 - 05:16 PM

I'm looking for the words and tune of a second world war patter song sung by Arthur Askey. It starts off: "I'm a little knitwit Knitting all the day", and goes on to list all the thing this little girl is knitting for the war effort. Somewhere in the middle it mentions someone's "embonpoint". Words, tune or suggestions for a possible source gratefully received.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'm a little knitwit
From: SINSULL
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 05:00 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'm a little knitwit
From: GUEST,niftyknits
Date: 16 Nov 10 - 05:56 AM

http://niftyknits-somuchyarnsolittletime.blogspot.com/2010/11/what-knitwit.html

are you still looking? I just put it in my blog, better late than never!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'm a little knitwit
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 16 Nov 10 - 08:51 PM

G'day Steve ... SINSULL ... niftyknits ...

Is there any booby prize for erudition just over 9 years too late?

"Embonpoint" is an English language adoption of the French en bon point ... ~ "in good condition" ... often as beaucoup d'embonpoint - but originally referring to stock, such as beef cattle, raised for the meat market.

When applied to the female form, it suggests a little (?) on the plump side! (I have used the term ... but always kept a safe escape distance between me and the subject - in case she has enough French!)

Regard(les)s,

Bob

Subject: Lyr Add: KNITTING (from Arthur Askey)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 12:20 PM

I think the song you want is actually called KNITTING. It was issued as a 78-rpm record in 1939, and it's available on several albums:

"The Busy Bee" (Empress Music, 1997)
"Hello, Playmates!" (ASV/Living Era, 2002)
"Big Hearted Arthur" (Sanctuary, 2005)
"The Best of Arthur" Askey (Xtra, 2008)

YouTube has several recordings, the clearest of which is this one, which also includes the B-side of the record: THE WORM.

Below is my transcription. There are lots of holes. I suspect there are lots of technical terms here, names of garments and so on, that I don't get. Rather than look them up, I decided to make a stab at it and trust that others will correct my errors. Please do!


KNITTING
As sung by Arthur Askey.
(Authorship is credited to "Taylor")

SPOKEN: Knit one, purl one, knit one, purl two. Sorry to keep you waiting, playmates, but I must finish this sock. I'm just turning the elbow, so amuse yourselves for a minute, will you? Won't be long now! Knit one purl one, knit one— Oh, curse! I've dropped a stitch. Aren't I a silly girl?

Some like football; some like darts.
I like kitting and the simpler arts.
Half a dozen needles, an ounce or two of wool,
Fills me cup of happiness chock full.

I'm a little knitwit, knitting all the day.
That's how I keep dull care away.
Hemstitch, lockstitch, plain and purl,
A pleasant occupation for a good little girl.

I knit jumpers, pretty little jumpers,
Very high jumpers as well as very low.
I've knitted jumpers for test-match stumpers.
Never had a misfit, oh, no!

Knitted one for father, the color of his eyes,
Perfect style and immaculate size,
Filling ev'ry crevice, ...(?) ev'ry joint,
Sitting like a glove upon his embonpoint.

Knit one, drop one, flip(?) one, drop one,
Neat a bit of work as you ever did see.
Put one, take one, boil one, bake one,
Put it in the oven for mummy and me.

I'm a little knitwit, knitting with a will,
Mitts for little Audrey, socks for Bill,
Three-ply cable, plain and purl,
A useful occupation for a nice little girl.

I knit jerkins, nobby little jerkins,
Who says a jerkin with little squiggly bits.
I can wheedle(?) a jerkin needle
As good as any knitwit what knits.

Knitting is a sedative, soothing to the nerves,
Develops good points and graceful curves.
Sit and take it easy, planning this and that,
Where's me googly(?) wool gone? Darn that cat!

Rib one, space one, lose one, chase one,
Knit a pair of night socks for any wee tot.
Mufflers, hose-bags(?), cosys, nosebags,
A comfy little cover for your hot-water bot.

I'm a little knitwit, knitting with a verve,
Getting all cockeyed but I do not swerve.
Neckbands, arm-hole, plain and purl,
A charming occupation for a sweet little girl

I knit babies, bonnie little babies,
I knit babies' bootiekins and hats.
I knit a ... for ... makers,
Natty little neckties and spats.

Perky little pilchards(?), the pinkest ever seen,
Suitable for weddings up at Gretna Green.
Pilchies(?) à la West End make for heavy wear.
I don't know how they put them on and I don't care.

Coaches, skirties, shorties, shirties,
Keeping all the wearers up to scratch,
Blue bags, grey bags, full-sized hay bags,
Does anybody want to try a needle match?

I'm a little knitwit, knitting all the day,
When I'm out a-gathering nuts in May.
Hooks and eyelets, plain and purl,
A simple occupation for a plain little girl.

I knit, knit, knit, knit, knit, knit, knit to drive dull care away.

SPOKEN: Goodbye, playmates. Knit one, purl one, knit one— (fade)