Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: weepiper Date: 12 Oct 01 - 02:11 PM Hey Pavane, I was going to post about that one where he gets put out for the wolves, my mum used to sing it. I think it's called 'The Death Of Young Andrew'. It's pretty grisly on several levels. I think the story was Andrew mistreated a girl (who then died of exposure when her stepmother wouldn't let her in after he'd stripped her naked and sent her home?), so the girl's brothers avenged her by breaking Andrew's arms and legs and binding him to a rock then leaving him for the wolves. Great song which I haven't heard for years |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: Little Hawk Date: 12 Oct 01 - 02:27 PM There's some humorous song about Rippy the Gator (went chomp! chomp! chomp!)...the alligator in question bites off little Billy's arms, legs, and head in successive verses. I think the Arrogant Worms or someone like that did it. - LH |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: Metchosin Date: 12 Oct 01 - 02:32 PM A lot of songs by the Swedish group Garmarna qualifies. Songs about werewolves ripping the arms and legs off maidens and other nordic tales of blood and gore. |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: Deda Date: 12 Oct 01 - 04:23 PM "Bang bang Maxwell's silver hammer came down on her head" We don't actually hear about lopped off body parts, but I think it belongs in the general ballpark anyway. |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: Max Tone Date: 12 Oct 01 - 05:09 PM .....Or the leper, losing at poker, who threw his hand in.... Rob |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: Mr Red Date: 12 Oct 01 - 05:10 PM Reading the above suggestions makes my effort well qualified. the Death of Queen Jane |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: Charley Noble Date: 12 Oct 01 - 05:29 PM Well, after scanning what's been offered I can contribute "Sweeney Todd the Barber", famous for providing his sweetie the fixings for her wonderful meat pies, and "Dundebeck's Machine," that incredible sausage machines into which them rats and long tailed cats were periodically ground up, to be followed by Dundebeck himself when he craweled inside to clear a jam... |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: SharonA Date: 12 Oct 01 - 06:04 PM "I'm Being Swallowed by a Boa Constrictor" (oh no, he swallowed my toe; oh gee, he swallowed my knee; etc.) Here's one that doesn't actually mention dismemberment but is about someone who hacked himself up a bit before he did himself in completely: Don McLean's "Vincent" (starry starry night) Hmmm... what about "All of Me" and "All or Nothing at All"? Or maybe "I Can't Help Falling in Love with You" (take my hand, take my whole life, too...)? Wait; I know: "I Fall to Pieces"! It may not fit the theme exactly, but there's a weird little big-band song from the 1930s sung by Bunny Berrigan (who was a man!) entitled "My Heart and I" and it goes like this: My heart and I were discussing your charms; We decided that you should be in my arms. My arms and I felt a thrill at the start; We decided that you should be in my heart. We're so in love with you, just my heart and I. Love me, too; then as years go by, Both my heart and I will forever be true For all that we want is your heart and you. |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: Gareth Date: 12 Oct 01 - 06:23 PM Ah Rugby songs - remember the Rugby version of Abdul the Bul Bul Emire Give me time i'll remember the words, but as a taster -
"The cream of the joke, Obviously dis memberment Gareth, lowering the tone. |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: jacko@nz Date: 12 Oct 01 - 07:09 PM Didn't see a mention of 'Burke and Hare' anywhere Jack |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: GUEST,JTT Date: 12 Oct 01 - 07:44 PM The old RAF song from the Great War, A Poor Aviator Lay Dying: which has one verse that goes:
Take the manifold out of my larynx, |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: Max Tone Date: 12 Oct 01 - 07:47 PM Not to forget any songs about MPs losing their parliamentary seats -- or should that be flung out on their asses? After all, democracy is all about dis-memberment! Rob |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: Max Tone Date: 12 Oct 01 - 08:29 PM Ma Hip's dis-Connected from ma thigh-bone Me head's dis-connected tae ma neck-bone Sae see the work o' the sword.
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Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: GUEST Date: 12 Oct 01 - 11:44 PM Not to mention "Alouette" in which a poor little birdie gets pulled apart, body part by body part. |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: raredance Date: 13 Oct 01 - 12:37 AM "Super Skier" - When they finally brought him down they had to use three tobaggans to carry all the pieces down the hill. rich r |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: pavane Date: 13 Oct 01 - 12:54 PM Yes, weepiper, thats the one I meant!
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Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: pavane Date: 13 Oct 01 - 01:15 PM Chevy Chase: (version quoted by Karl Dallas) For Witherington needs must I wail As one in doleful dumps For when his legs were smitten off He fought all on his stumps
The Bold Trooper - cut off the ears of a tailor he found with his wife. There is also a print c1670 in the Bodley library of a Priest who was given a Bobbit in similar circiumstances by a butcher. No tune available though, I think. The Kerry Recruit 'where heads, legs and arms were scattered around' |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 13 Oct 01 - 01:46 PM One of Ramblin' Jack Elliott's songs included the following: It was only yesterday that Jane and me got married Dave Oesterreich |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: weepiper Date: 13 Oct 01 - 01:58 PM There's always 'The Carpenter and the Sexton' by Dave Goulder : So the carpenter went for his chisel and blade; The sexton was honing the edge of his spade. And driven by jealousy, anger and pain, They hacked at each other, hacked at each other Like butchers insane. The sexton was missing a nose and a toe; The carpenter's bowels were beginning to show. But there with the dead at the edge of the town They fought till the blood, they fought till the blood Was like dew on the ground. :-! |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: Susanne (skw) Date: 13 Oct 01 - 03:21 PM I haven't seen 'Pegleg Johnson' by Shel Silverstein mentioned. ("I'm a three-legged man with a two-legged woman Being chased round the country by a one-legged fool") |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: Willa Date: 13 Oct 01 - 03:34 PM Charley; this one? Dunderbuck oh dunderbuck, Dunderbuck, how could you be so mean, to ever have invented the sausage meat machine? Now long-tailed rats and pussy cats they'll never more be seen, They'll all be ground to sausage meat in Dunderbeck's machine. |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: RWilhelm Date: 13 Oct 01 - 03:46 PM Jackknife by the late great Jeffery Frederick
I's cleaing my jackknife when you did appear
I throwed some sawdust where the blood puddle lie |
Subject: Lyr Add: THE LONESOME DEATH OF CACTUS NELL From: Little Hawk Date: 13 Oct 01 - 05:38 PM THE LONESOME DEATH OF CACTUS NELL
Oh none so fair as Cactus Nell
She went out riding after dark
Oh, her legs was crushed, and her ribs was broke
So they picked her up and carried her back
Ten cowboys brave did lower her down
Then we all got drunk and we hanged the horse
Oh none so fair as Cactus Nell
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Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: Joe Offer Date: 13 Oct 01 - 06:16 PM How about Three Blind Mice? It doesn't specifically mention dismemberment, but Three Blind Mice Are Dead would be a suitable followup. -Joe Offer- |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: Joe_F Date: 13 Oct 01 - 07:02 PM Child Owlet (Child 291). Man falsely accused of attempted rape is torn apart by four horses: There was not a kow in Darling muir Nor ae a piece o a rash, But drappit o Childe Owlet's blude And pieces o his flesh. I believe that the cutting off of the three blind mice's tails counts as dismemberment. |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: Metchosin Date: 13 Oct 01 - 07:33 PM how abount making mince pies from children's thighs and feeding them to the fairies? Great song!!! Old Blind Dogs does a fine version. |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: pavane Date: 14 Oct 01 - 04:23 AM If we are including dismemberment of animals, then Bold Reynard the Fox and The Cutty Wren spring to mind |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: Gareth Date: 14 Oct 01 - 12:43 PM Or extra memberment as in "Jake the Peg" ???? Gareth |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: Abby Sale Date: 14 Oct 01 - 12:46 PM All excellent suggestions and certainly a Worthy Topic. I'd offer this version of "The Cruel Ship's Carpenter' with its last verse: Then he hastened to the forecastle with speed, There he met his pretty Polly which made his heart bleed. She ripped him and she stripped him and she tore him in three, Because he had murdered the baby and she. (See Pretty Polly) Jow F: "Chylde Owlet" has long been one of my favorite ditties. I often quote MacColl when I sing it: He writes that the event of family members killing each other by any & all means is common enough in Ballads. However... "There's something off-beat about having one's nephew torn to pieces by wild horses but, as Professor Child has observed, 'the last two stanzas are unusually successful.'" |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: John in Brisbane Date: 14 Oct 01 - 09:50 PM Thanks so much to all who cintributed to this thread - I'm blown away by the collective knowledge, even though I shouldn't be surprised. Now for the search of what is in the DT, and what lyrics have tunes! Many, many thanks John |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: Ralphie Date: 15 Oct 01 - 03:02 AM Oh What a bloodthirsty lot we are! The mention of Kenny Everett reminds me of another song in his "Bottom 40" "Transfusion" by Nervous Norvous Each verse ending with lines such as Slip the fluid in me, Loius Slip the Crimson in me, Jimson Put the Claret in me, Barrett Also, virtually anything by Pat Campbell. (The Deal is particularly fine) And, I do remember a song we used to do many years ago. Mary Thompson, which had the wonderful verse..
Twice more all with his horrid knife
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Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: GUEST,Adrienne Date: 15 Oct 01 - 07:59 AM My favorite dismemberment song: John Prine's "Please Don't Bury Me". "...Please don't bury me Down in the cold cold ground. I'd rather have them cut me up And pass me all around. Throw my brain in a hurricane, Let a blind man have my eyes, And the deaf can take both my ears If they don't mind the size." |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: artbrooks Date: 15 Oct 01 - 09:06 AM Just ran across this in an old "Sing Out" reprint. It is allegedly the alma mater of the National Embalming School, and is sung to the tune from "Oh Tannenbaum":
To thee we sing, to thee we drool
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Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: GUEST,Adrienne Date: 15 Oct 01 - 09:43 AM Artbrooks, I'd change "cold" to "cool" to rhyme with school... Funny song! |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: artbrooks Date: 15 Oct 01 - 09:54 AM Adrienne: sorry, my mistake in transcription. "Cool" is correct. |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: SINSULL Date: 15 Oct 01 - 01:49 PM "I Ain't Got Nobody"? courtesy of Mel Brooks. |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: Charley Noble Date: 15 Oct 01 - 03:33 PM Then there's the lovely survivor's poem from "The Rhyme of the Nancy Brig" whose chorus runs: I am the cook and the captain bold, And the mate of the Nancy brig, The midshipmite, the bosun tight And the crew of the captain's gig. Suffice to say the survivor was more than the sum of his parts. |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: John MacKenzie Date: 15 Oct 01 - 03:52 PM Alex Campbell's--- 3 Jolly consumptives # 3 jolly consumptives...cough.....cough........spit( do it don't sing the words) # One lung to you; and one to you. Alex was great but nobody ever accused him of being tastefull. God rest his soul, I miss him still. Jock |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: Metchosin Date: 15 Oct 01 - 04:07 PM Charlie, he may have been more than the sum of his parts, but if the fate of the Cook is the example of the food preparation, when "he ups with his heels, and smothered his squeals, in the scum of the boiling broth", dismemberment seems to have occurred after cooking and not before, so I'm not certain if that counts.*BG* |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: GUEST Date: 15 Oct 01 - 04:29 PM "I left my heart .... in San Francisco????" CC |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: RWilhelm Date: 15 Oct 01 - 05:37 PM Leprosy I'm not half the man I used to be |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: GUEST,rhartman@nyc.rr.com Date: 18 Jun 03 - 11:22 AM We are looking for a song that goes like this: My little Darlin When we were married and the first night we were wed you put your false teeth upon the mantle and your wooden leg under the bed ... then something like: you put your right eye on the table your false hair..... and it ends... Mylittle Darlin I would have kissed you But you were scattered everywhere Does anyone know if this is a song recorded by an artist? |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: Schantieman Date: 18 Jun 03 - 02:19 PM Side by Side We got married on Sunday: It nearly lasted till Monday. When the guests were all gone And we were alone Side by side. We got ready for bed then I very nearly dropped dead when Her teeth and her hair she laid on the chair Side by side (middle eight) Imagine my amazement When out popped her glass eye so small - She laid it on the table, Then propped her leg in the hall Well there I stood, boken hearted: From most of my wife I was parted, So I slept on the chair (There was more of here there) Side by side. (big finish) Yes I slept on the chair There was more of her there! Side......by......side! Enjoy Steve |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: GUEST,Dave H Date: 18 Jun 03 - 02:37 PM Werewolves of London "You better stay away from him, He'll rip your lungs out Jim." Starry, Starry Night - not that it's in the song, but it is about Vincent Van Gogh, like a good musician, he learned to paint by ear. DOH! |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: Joe_F Date: 18 Jun 03 - 07:12 PM Inasmuch as limericks are often sung, the following by E. Gorey perhaps qualifies: The partition of Salvador Scowles Was a sickener. They came on his bowels In a firkin. His brain Was found clogging a drain, And his toes were wrapped up in some towels. |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: robomatic Date: 18 Jun 03 - 08:34 PM Close but maybe no SEE-GAR: Warren Zevon's "Excitable Boy": After ten long years they let him out of the home Excitable boy they all said And he dug up her grave and built a cage with her bones Excitable boy they all said He's just an excitable boy |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: LadyJean Date: 19 Jun 03 - 12:24 AM I would reccomend the John Jacob Niles version of Lambkin. I learned it when I was 15. It's one of the things that turned me on to Child ballads. Or, of course there's "Weelah Waalya", or "What'll I Do With This Baby Oh", with verses like "What'll I do when this baby squalls? Throw him up against the wall, scrape him off and watch him fall." Yes I do like children. But I've spent too much of my life babysitting. My sister was in a show called "Lend an Ear", and she sang a "Ballade" where one Sir Richard chopped off the raven haired girl's head and kicked it about on the green. |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: Steve Parkes Date: 19 Jun 03 - 03:26 AM After the ball was over She sat on the sofa and sighed, She stood her cork leg in the corner And took out her lovely glass eye, She put her false teeth in salt water, And hung up her wig on the wall; Then the rest of her went to bye-bye After the ball! Recorded by the Ian Campbell Folk Group, no less. What about the Burglar Man who hid under the old maid's bed? A very similar story, but not at all pc. Steve |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: Gurney Date: 19 Jun 03 - 05:04 AM Did I miss 'The Derby Ram?' how graphic a line.... all the women of Derby, to roll away his stones... |
Subject: RE: Songs of Dismemberment From: Dave Bryant Date: 19 Jun 03 - 05:37 AM Oh mother dear, what is that stuff that looks like strawbery jam ? Hush, hush my child, it is Papa run over by a tram. I didn't see this thread when it first appeared, what a pity because many of my favourites ("Sweeney Todd", "The Sexton and the Carpenter", "The Dying Aviator", "The Yarn of the Nancy Bell") are mentioned here. |
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