Lyr Req: Angus MacFergus MacTavish Dundee

Subject: Angus, Mctavish, Mctarvish Dundee
From:
Date: 27 Oct 96 - 11:47 AM

Anyone heard of this good old song I learned in 5th grade. About a squirrel in an oak. I would greatly appreciate any information you could give me on getting the lyrics at all.

Subject: RE: Angus, Mctavish, Mctarvish Dundee
From: M. LaMarca
Date: 05 Nov 96 - 05:10 PM

Hi-the song was written by Bob Schmertz (yes, that's really his name) who also wrote "Got a Whole Lotta Singing to Do" and "Monongehela Sal". I have his record at home and will look up the lyrics and send them to you.

Subject: ADD: Andrew McFergus McTavish Dundee
From: Kevin
Date: 15 Nov 96 - 09:59 AM

I'm not sure if this is the same thing, but I'll bet that Andrew is at least related to Angus.

There was a red squirrel lived up in a tree,
Name of Andrew McFergus McTavish Dundee.
Frisking high in the branches, oh, merry was he,
Was Andrew McFergus McTavish Dundee.

He nibbled on nuts he had stored, don't you see,
This Andrew McFergus McTavish Dundee,
And he bombed all the picnickers under his tree,
Did Andrew McFergus McTavish Dundee.

Now if I were not myself, I'd much like to be
Like Andrew McFergus Mctavish Dundee.
I'd not pay the rent, my meals would be free,
I would smile at you from the top of a tree,
Beside Andrew McFergus Mctavish Dundee! ^^

---

I combined threads in an attempt to avoid splitting the discussion. Messages below are from a new thread. The original thread was #69.
The lyrics from this message were added to the Digital Tradition in 1998.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: Angus MacDermott MacTavish Dundee
From: Bill D
Date: 19 May 98 - 09:36 AM

Our folk club got an email from someone....I reprpduce it here....any one have any ideas?

Hello, > I played a song the other day that I remember from a kids >television show back in the fifties. The problem is, I can't find the >words to the song. I tried a few other places but turned nothing up. I >figured that one of you people might know about it. Here's what I know >( or think I know.): > The song was featured several times on The Captain kangaroo Show in >the 1950s. It was about a squirrel named, I think, Angus MacDermott >MacTavish Dundee, who was so smart that he continually eluded the >hunters who were trying to make pot pie out of him. It was sung by >someone who had a pretty decent voice (sort of Burl Ives-like). It may >or may not have featured a banjo. It does sound real nice on the banjo >and if anybody can remember the song or can direct me to a site where I >might get some more information, I'd be most grateful. > Thanks.

Subject: RE: Angus MacDermott MacTavish Dundee
From:
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 09:59 AM

18 months after you posted...

The song is called "Angus MacFergus MacTavish Dundee" and it was done by Burl Ives. I too have been trying to find a copy of the lyrics and/or the song.

It is available as part of a 2 CD retrospective available through www.burlives.com. At $29.95 I thought it was a little pricey, but I may just break down and get it.

Here's as much as I can remember:

"The bullet went off with a terribel blast,
But Angus MacFergus was faster than fast,
And the bullet went deep in the poor old oak tree,
But it never touched Angus MacFergus Dundee

I"ve often imagined that I'l like to be
A bonnie wee squirrel and live in a tree,
Pay no rent and no taxes and get my lunch free
Like Angus MacFergus MacTavish Dundee."

And if anyone can help me out with the complete words to the theme from "Pow Wow The Indian Boy"--especially the 2 lines that come before "If Pow Wow couldn't help them he would go to the Medicine Man", I'd also be grateful

Bob G.

Subject: ADD: Angus MacDermott MacTavish Dundee
From: kendall
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 03:15 PM

There was a wee squirrel who lived in an oak
He loved a good lunch and he loved a good joke
There's a wee bit of scotch in his family tree
He's Angus McFergus McTavish Dundee.

Of chestnuts and acorns he gathered a score
And, though he had plenty, he still gathered more
And he had them for lunch and he had them for tea
Angus Mcfergus McTavish Dundee.

His brothers and sisters and uncles and aunts (ants)
They all gathered 'round and they had quite a dance
And they flew through the air with hilarious glee
With Angus McFergus McTavish Dundee.

And while they were dancing a hunter came by
And of all of the dancers that hunter did spy
He raised up his gun and he aimed carefully
At Angus McFergus McTavish Dundee.

The rifle went off with a terrible blast
But Angus McFergus was faster than fast
And the bullet went deep in the poor old oak tree,
But, it never touched Angus McFergus Dundee.

I often imagine that I'd like to be, a bonnie wee squirrel
and live in a tree,
Pay no rent, and no taxes and get my lunch free
Like Angus McFergus McTavish Dundee.

I sing this in my childrens program, and it is fun to watch the face of any child I choose to observe when the part about the hunter comes in. And then, the relief on his/her face when the bullet misses.

When my youngest daught was about 5 or 6, she once asked me to sing the one about the squirril with the drinking problem.. had no clue what she was talking about, but, when she remembered the line..a wee bit of scotch..etc. I have no idea how she made that connection. true story.

Subject: RE: Angus MacDermott MacTavish Dundee
From: Gint
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 03:20 PM

Kendall

sometimes you are a gem

Subject: RE: Angus MacDermott MacTavish Dundee
From: kendall
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 03:22 PM

SOMETIMES??

Subject: RE: Angus MacDermott MacTavish Dundee
From: Chris/Darwin
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 09:59 PM

Kendall

What a wonderful childrens' song. Next question - where can I find the music?

Subject: RE: Angus MacDermott MacTavish Dundee
From: kendall
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 10:18 PM

look for a personal note with my phone number

Subject: RE: Angus MacDermott MacTavish Dundee
From: Night Owl
Date: 06 Dec 99 - 12:07 AM

soooooo........hey.........Kendall..........where would the rest of us find the music??????? GREAT LYRICS!!!!

Subject: RE: Angus MacDermott MacTavish Dundee
From: lamarca
Date: 06 Dec 99 - 02:10 PM

This song was written by Bob Schmertz (I'm not making this up, that's his real name), who also wrote "Monongahela Sal" and "We've Got a Whole Lotta Singin' to Do". I vaguely remember hearing "Angus" on Captain Kangaroo in the early 60's...

Subject: RE: Angus MacDermott MacTavish Dundee
From: kendall
Date: 06 Dec 99 - 02:17 PM

I'd be willing to sing it to anyone who calls me. Of course, I dont want to post my number here, so, I'll send it to interested parties in a personal note.

Subject: RE: Angus MacDermott MacTavish Dundee
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jun 04 - 07:16 AM

I am SO THRILLED to have happened on this while browsing. Angus Macfergus MacTavish Dundee was also a major part of my childhood. We had a cassette which had that amongst other songs including 'The Whistling Rabbit Song' (I've got a whistling rabbit, it whistles when you grab it) and I've been desperate to find a copy of the whole album to play to MY children. Can anyone help, I've tried everything I can think of and don't know where I can lay my hands on copy. I don't remember what the album was called, but I can remember most of the songs on it. It was all Burl Ives, and probably brought to us as a present from American cousins. (I was brought up in Scotland)
Just noticed that the above exchange was in '99 so not much hope of a reply I suppose....

Subject: RE: Angus MacDermott MacTavish Dundee
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 02 Jun 04 - 11:33 AM

Not to despair, "Guest";

The last time I checked, our beloved Kendall was still very much with us, and returned from a tour to ye Auld Contyerie not long ago.

Our Daughter Shearon Judith was born in Lebanon NH in November of 1974, and the following Spring we bundled her up and took her to the Queechie VT Highland Festival where we discovered this quaint old Folkie sitting there wearing a scrunched-up Mariner's cap and playing a guitar, singing the most delightful songs.

So we spread our blanket out as near to him as we could get and turned our baby girl loose on it.

And I distinctly remember "Angus" as being one of the songs he sang; it was in a jouncy 3/4 time as I recall, and I'm pretty sure that I could wing the tune pretty closely even now - especially since I have the lyrics, most of which I had long since forgotten.

Not long after said Folkie sang "Angus", Wee bairney Shearon upped on all fours and did something that she had never done before; she proceeded to crawl off of the blanket and head off to see the World.
For the first (but certainly not the last) time, her Mommie had to chase her down and recapture the lass who has since come to be affectionately known as "The Wylde One".

Said Wylde One is now happily married, will be 30 this November, and perhaps if I can get at least one of my guitars up and running by then (or borrow hers) I'll play her old "Angus" again....

And see what the hell happens this time!

(Grandchildren?)

By now you must know who that "Folkie" was that we met at Queechie back in the Spring of '75 - and whose acquaintance we have been blessed to have renewed within the past few years via Mudcat and some Sea Chanty Sings in the Portland ME area.
My interest in this sort of Music was no doubt considerably encouraged by his influence even back then.

And he still is, praise be, very much among us.

Subject: RE: Angus MacDermott MacTavish Dundee
From: Joe Offer
Date: 02 Jun 04 - 12:53 PM

I see that Kendall's version is much different from what ended up in the DT. Are they the same song, or is Kendall's an expansion of an earlier song, or is the DT version a bowdlerization of Kendall's?

You'll find a sound sample from the song on the Website of Christina Muir/Hot Soup Trio (click).

Kendall, did you ever record this? I don't see it in my huge collection (3) of Kendall Morse CD's.

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Angus MacDermott MacTavish Dundee
From: semi-submersible
Date: 02 Jun 04 - 02:13 PM

Here's the link to the Burl Ives website Bob G. mentioned above: clink
Unfortunately, the 2 CD set "40 Legendary Ballads and Folk Songs" is out of stock at present.

Subject: RE: Angus MacDermott MacTavish Dundee
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 03 Jun 04 - 12:47 PM

and we still need a tune posted.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Angus McFergus MacTavish Dundee
From: GUEST,JB3! O'Fallon MO
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 07:33 PM

http://www.hotsouptrio.com/Songs/AngusMcFergus.m3u
http://www.hotsouptrio.com/Songs/AngusMcFergus.m3u

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Angus MacDermott MacTavish Dundee
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 01:06 AM

Alaska Mike also does a fine rendition of this song.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Angus MacDermott MacTavish Dundee
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 02:23 PM

I was just hunting for the tune to this song when I discovered that our very own Alaska Mike does it and none other than Seamus Kennedy himself is posting about it here on mudcat!

Talk about small worlds.   :-D

Shannon (of Rogues & Wenches in Anchorage, Alaska and friend to Alaska Mike and fan of Seamus Kennedy)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Angus MacDermott MacTavish Dundee
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Sep 07 - 07:32 AM

have you a photograph of the squirrel?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Angus MacDermott MacTavish Dundee
From: kendall
Date: 21 Sep 07 - 07:46 AM

One photo of Angus coming up on Flicker.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Angus MacDermott MacTavish Dundee
From: GUEST,Nan
Date: 15 Jan 08 - 08:16 PM

I remember the song, my older used to sing it. However, now, I can't remember it, does anyone have a recording or know where I could hear on line perhaps.
Maybe there is a recording that I can buy if I have a album name to look up.
Thank you for any help.
Nan

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Angus MacDermott MacTavish Dundee
From: GUEST,Nan
Date: 15 Jan 08 - 08:28 PM

Ah, never mind, I see where you have a recording posted. Thank you anyway.
Nan

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Angus MacDermott MacTavish Dundee
From: GUEST,jjmorte
Date: 03 Feb 08 - 08:44 PM

it whistles, it whistles, it whistles just for you

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Angus MacDermott MacTavish Dundee
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 04:30 PM

Like GUEST I have been trying to locate the words/ music to a whistling rabbit song?? from Burl Ives

I recall it from over 50 years ago as something like:

"I've got a whistling rabbit
That whistles when you grab it
It whistles and whistles
So very high and very merrily
I love to listen all day long to the whistling rabbit song..."

Subject: Lyr Add: ANGUS MACFERGUS MACTAVISH DUNDEE
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 15 Sep 08 - 05:48 PM

Gracenote.com says that ANGUS MCFERGUS MCTAVISH DUNDEE was recorded by Burl Ives on "40 Legendary Ballads & Folk Songs."

ASCAP.com says it was written by Robert Watson Schmertz, and published by Wayfarer Music Inc, C/O Dorothy Ives, 2804 Oakes Ave, Anacortes, WA 98221 - Tel. [phone].

And Robert Schmertz has his own web site that contains the lyrics—only he spells it "...MACFERGUS MACTAVISH..."

I know a wee squirrel who lives in an oak.
He loves a good lunch and he loves a good joke.
There's a wee bit of Scotch in his family tree;
He's Angus MacFergus MacTavish Dundee,
Angus MacFergus MacTavish Dundee.

Of chestnuts and acorns he's gathered a store,
Although he has plenty, he gathers still more
For he has them for breakfast and luncheon and tea,
Young Angus MacFergus MacTavish Dundee,
Young Angus MacFergus MacTavish Dundee.

His brothers and sisters and uncles and aunts
Quite often will gather and have a fine dance.
And they leap through the air with hilarious glee
With Angus MacFergus MacTavish Dundee,
With Angus MacFergus MacTavish Dundee.

Once while they were dancing a hunter came by
And all of those dancers the hunter did spy!
And he lifted his rifle and aimed carefull-ee
At Angus MacFergus MacTavish Dundee,
At Angus MacFergus MacTavish Dundee.

The rifle went off with a terrible blast
But Angus MacFergus was faster than fast -
And the bullet went deep in that poor old oak tree,
But it never touched Angus MacFergus Dundee,
It never touched Angus MacFergus Dundee.

The hunter looked 'round and the squirrels were gone,
Of all of those dancers there wasn't a one -
They were all safely hid in that friendly oak tree;
With Angus MacFergus MacTavish Dundee,
With Angus MacFergus MacTavish Dundee.

I often imagine that I'd like to be
A bonnie wee squirrel and live in a tree;
Pay no rent and no taxes and get my lunch free
Like Angus MacFergus MacTavish Dundee,
Like Angus MacFergus MacTavish Dundee.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Angus MacFergus MacTavish Dundee
From: GUEST,n3fm
Date: 19 Sep 08 - 11:44 PM

Bob G... is this a record? 9 years later, a reply...

Pow Wow, the Indian boy, loved all the animals and the woods;
Pow Wow, the Indian boy, loved all the animals and the woods;
Pow Wow was a friend of all the animals in the woods,
If there was any trouble he would help them if he could;
If Pow Wow couldn't help them he would go to the Medicine Man,
And he would tell them stories just how it all began, all began, all began.

Found it on:
ToonTracker website

I just happened to remember the same chunk of the tune that you did -- and now it's on their page! It even includes one 5-minute episode!

BobS (use the FROM and send it @comcast.net )

Subject: RE: Angus MacFergus MacTavish Dundee
From: GUEST,Uncle Jaque
Date: 19 Sep 08 - 11:55 PM

Our "Wylde One" mentioned back in '04 now has a Daughter of her own about to turn two, and another on the way, due in early November. My, how time flies!

I'll have to dig up the chords to "Angus" and have another go at it for the wee ones.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Angus MacFergus MacTavish Dundee
From: GUEST,Whistling Rabbit
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 12:30 PM

I noticed someone above looking for lyrics to the Whistling Rabbit song. The version I had wasn't Burl Ives, but here's what I recall. The only line I was never quite sure of was the fifth, but if it's not that it's something very close.

I've got a whistling rabbit
That whistles when you grab it
It whistles
It whistles
Whistles low and with a little tune
You'll love to listen all day long
To the whistling rabbit song

When you press the nose
It whistles high
(high whistled melody)
Higher than a mountain
Press the toes
It whistles low
(low whistled melody)
Lower than a ho, ho, ho

So get a whistling rabbit
That whistles when you grab it... (etc.)

I had this on an old record album of Easter-Bunny songs and stories, that also included a breakneck little tune called "Hippity Hop" and an alternate-lyrics version of Peter Cottontail that I still like best. ("Here comes Peter Cottontail / Hoppin' down the bunny trial / Rabbit of distinction so they say / He's the King of Bunnyland / 'Cause his eyes are shiny and / He can spot the wolf a mile away...")

Oh, and a wonderful bit of storytelling about Thumper The Rabbit, who may or may not have been the Disney version (I have no idea who put out the record), but was narrated by a marvelous female voice, with great character-voices. "Thumper! The flowers are for DESSERT!" runs the audio-memory in my mind, pleasantly, in a voice that just oozes exasperated-but-patient motherhood. And a high shrill birdcall: "Man! Maaan! Run to the hills for safety! Thumper, the rabbit, has given the warning! Man! Man! Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!"

Oops... I'm rambling. Sorry 'bout that. :)

From one rabbit-whistler to another, best of luck!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Angus MacFergus MacTavish Dundee
From: GUEST,Peter
Date: 07 Dec 08 - 09:59 AM

Both songs are from a Burl Ives lp of 1958: Burl Ives' Ark. Check this site: http://www.akh.se/ives/dl8587.htm
Cheers!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Angus MacFergus MacTavish Dundee
From: GUEST,Phil McB
Date: 04 Dec 10 - 01:03 PM

I remember the song from an old Hootenanny show. It was sung by a gal named Jo Mapes (I think). I have never heard of her since.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Angus MacFergus MacTavish Dundee
From: GUEST,Christina Muir
Date: 03 Feb 11 - 08:31 PM

Hi. I just came across this discussion of the Angus song. I grew up hearing my mom, Ann Mayo Muir, sing it. She was on the Captain Kangaroo show in the early "60 and may well have sung it on the show. I made a little recording of it with Eric Garrison (sans the last verse) back in 1995..and am embarrassed to say that I thought it was traditional! So who is the author, Burl Ives or Robert Schmertz? I put an mp4 of it up at my trio's website http://www.HotSouptrio.com (it's at the bottom of the "Buy" page for the CD "Over, Under, Around & Through"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Angus MacFergus MacTavish Dundee
From: Artful Codger
Date: 15 Mar 13 - 04:59 PM

Here's a YouTube clip of Burl Ives singing the song, which on his album was titled "The Squirrel":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wO_UpAaltQc

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Angus MacFergus MacTavish Dundee
From: maeve
Date: 15 Mar 13 - 06:04 PM

Thanks, Artful Codger.

Christina- Hello from a friend in Maine (think very chocolate brownies and a concert.) The song was written by Robert Watson Schmertz. Here's a clickable link to your website- all the cds are warmly recommended by me!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Angus MacFergus MacTavish Dundee
From: GUEST,Alison the beginner guitarist
Date: 25 Mar 14 - 01:28 PM

OK..so we learned this at Brownie Camp on Ithaca's Cayuga lake in 1971. I have been singing it at every campfire and every bus trip my whole life. And to my kids since they were born... The Chestnut verse is one we never knew, but the rest is the same. Here is what I need help with...I just started playing guitar....and I have no clue how to figure out the basic chords to support the song. Can someone reply with something like... G G C C...etc. From there, I can figure it out.    Thanks! It is the best song ever!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Angus MacFergus MacTavish Dundee
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Jul 15 - 04:25 PM

No matter how many songs I sing, they always request the song about the squirrel in the oak and The Cat Came Back. People love songs about critters. Glad the lyrics to "Angus" got on the Mudcat site. Arkansas Red-Ozark Troubadour