Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?

Subject: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: GUEST,Richard
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 01:38 PM

For a 1940s revue I am looking for a song about a camel. I've checked the database but nothing there is appropriate. Ideally it will be good for mixed company and sort of a novelty song, like some of the Flanders and Swan songs. Any ideas?

Richard Wright

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 01:39 PM

I don't know of a camel, but "Ahab the arab, the sheikh of Araby"

Nigel

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: MMario
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 01:48 PM

There is this in the Levy Sheet Music Collection:

The Camel and the Butterfly

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: Les from Hull
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 01:53 PM

Ali Baba's Camel recorded by the Bonzo Dog Doo-dah Band on 'Tadpoles'. It's available on CD 'The Outro'.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: open mike
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 02:28 PM

i think there are humpty backed camels in the song "The Unicorn"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: Rapparee
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 02:55 PM

There's "Hi Jolly" about Haji Ali and the US Army's ill-fated Camel Corps...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 02:58 PM

Midnight At The Oasis?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: beadie
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 03:11 PM

"Ahab the Arab" was, at least, 49.9% about a camel named "Clyde."

Singer/songwriter Ray Stevens (as only he could do it) provided vocalisations for the intrepid beast where appropriate in the lyric.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 03:43 PM

Just a verse from a bawdy song, "Cats on the Rooftops," featuring assorted animals:

The camel has a lot of fun;
His night's complete when he is done;
He always gets two humps for one,
As he revels in the throes of fornication!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: Lyr Add: ALI BABA'S CAMEL (Neil Innes)
From: Bullfrog Jones
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 04:31 PM

As mentioned by Les from Hull, ALI BABA'S CAMEL, courtesy of Neil Innes :

Key: Cm
Capo: 3, play Am

Intro:   Cm
(Capo:) (Am)
Cm
(Am)
You've heard of Ali-Baba
Forty thieves, had he
Fm                  Cm   
(Dm)                (Am)
Out for what we all want
D          G
(B)         (E)
Lots of L.S.D.
    Cm
   (Am)
He also had a camel
Stole it from a zoo
D      
(B)
How he loved the camel
                         G
                         (E)
And the camel loved him, too
nc
(nc)
(Oh, how the camel loved Ali-Baba)

C
(A)
Ali-Baba's camel
       F
      (D)
Loved Ali-Baba so
    C
   (A)
No matter where he went to
    D            G
    (B)          (E)
The camel had to go
      C
    (A)
Some say that he's in Heaven
    F
    (D)
But this, I know, is true
    C                F
    (A)             (D)
Wherever you think Ali's gone
    G                   C
    (E)                (A)
His camel's gone there, too



Instr: Cm   G   Cm   Ab   G
       (Am) (E) (Am) (F) (E)


Cm
(Am)
Crossing the Equator
Ooooh, how hot it was!
Fm          Cm
(Dm)         (Am)
Poor old Ali-Baba
D                   G   
(B)                (E)
Cursed and swore, because
    Cm
   (Am)
He was so very thirsty
And everybody knows
      D      
    (B)
It's horrible to walk for miles
                        G
                      (E)
With sand between your toes
nc
(nc)
(Oh, how the camel loved Ali-Baba)

C
(A)
Ali-Baba's camel
         F
       (D)
Turned 'round and licked his hand
    C
   (A)
He said, "Oh, Ali-Baba,
   D          G
(B)         (E)
I surely understand.
    C
   (A)
We must find an oasis
    F   
    (D)
And get a drink, somehow.
    C                F
    (A)             (D)
But hark, I hear the temple bells,
         G          C
       (E)         (A)
They'll all be open now."

Instr:   Cm   G
         (Am) (E)

      Cm
    (Am)
They entered for the races
At the Desert Sports
Fm               Cm
(Dm)             (Am)
There goes Ali's camel
       D             G
       (B)          (E)
In his filthy cotton shorts
    Cm
    (Am)
The starter cracked his pistol
Off the camel's head
D
(B)
Ali-Baba's camel wins
                   G
                  (E)
By half a camel's hair
nc
(nc)
(Hey, Ali-Baba!
Hey, Ali-Baba!
Your camel loves you!
Your camel loves you!)

C
(A)
Ali-Baba's camel
    F
    (D)
Had run for miles and miles
    C
    (A)
His tail was pointing backwards
       D          G
       (B)         (E)
That's how a camel smiles
    C
    (A)
But Ali and his camel
      F
    (D)
They both were out of breath
       C                F
       (A)             (D)
They'd run so far, they laughed so much
      G                     Cm       G
    (E)                   (Am)      (E)
They laughed themselves to death

    Cm   
   (Am)
Ooooh, gather 'round the campfire
Sing a roundelay
    Fm                Cm
    (Dm)             (Am)
But don't sing out of tune, though
       D                   G
       (B)                (E)
('cause that's the ?cheap today?)
Cm
(Am)
Sing of Ali-Baba
Sing about his men
D
(B)
Sing about his camel
                        G
                      (E)
And then sing it all, again
nc
(nc)
(Oh, how the camel loved Ali-Baba)
C
(A)
Ali-Baba's camel
       F
      (D)
Loved Ali-Baba so
    C
   (A)
No matter where he went to
      D            G
    (B)          (E)
That camel had to go
      C
    (A)
Some say that he's in Heaven
    F
    (D)
But this, I know, as well
      C               F
    (A)             (D)
Wherever you think Ali's gone
    G                C#
    (E)               (A#)   
His camel's gone to...

Instr: C   F   C   D   G
       (A) (D) (A) (B) (E)


       C   F   C   F   G   C
       (A) (D) (A) (D) (E) (A)

NB: Capo chords are in parentheses.

BJ

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 05:42 PM

Then of course there is the Sexual life of the Camel...

LTS

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: masato sakurai
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 07:57 PM

SEXCAMEL in the DT. Not suitable for your revue, I'm afraid.

~Masato

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: Snuffy
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 08:14 PM

"Cause eggs are cheap today"?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: Genie
Date: 28 Jan 03 - 03:57 AM

Some versions of the old Christmas folk song "The Friendly Beasts" have a verse about the camel.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: Kenny B (inactive)
Date: 28 Jan 03 - 04:18 AM

How about

In the Old Bazaar in Cairo

Available in the DT

Subject: ADD: Alice the Camel
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Jan 03 - 04:18 AM

You know, Mudcat has been around since 1996, and I've been here almost since the beginning. It's hare to believe that in all this time, nobody has posted "Alice the Camel."

ALICE THE CAMEL

Alice the camel has five humps.
Alice the camel has five humps.
Alice the camel has five humps.
So ride, Alice, ride.
Boom, boom, boom, boom!

Alice the camel has four humps.
Alice the camel has four humps.
Alice the camel has four humps.
So ride, Alice, ride.
Boom, boom, boom, boom!

Alice the camel has three humps.
Alice the camel has three humps.
Alice the camel has three humps.
So ride, Alice, ride.
Boom, boom, boom, boom!

Alice the camel has two humps.
Alice the camel has two humps.
Alice the camel has two humps.
So ride, Alice, ride.
Boom, boom, boom, boom!

Alice the camel has one hump.
Alice the camel has one hump.
Alice the camel has one hump.
So ride, Alice, ride.
Boom, boom, boom, boom!

Alice the camel has no humps.
Alice the camel has no humps.
Alice the camel has no humps.
'Cause Alice is a cow.


Learned at Cub Scout day camp from a very charming den mother. She also taught me "Three Chartreuse Buzzards."
Ah, but yes, she was charming...
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 28 Jan 03 - 05:24 AM

It should be pointed out for the benefit of younger/US/FDA readers that the "LSD" referred to in Ali-Baba's Camel is the "pounds shillings and pence" variety, and not any other kind you may know of. It's a scary enough song without psychedelic pside-effefects!

Steve

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 28 Jan 03 - 05:29 AM

"Oh Camel Ye Faithful"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 28 Jan 03 - 06:04 AM

There's also a modern hymn "Riding out across the desert" which, whilst not mentioning the form of transport used by the Magi, is to the tune "The Camel Shuffle"

Nigel

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 28 Jan 03 - 06:32 AM

"What are 'pounds shillings and pence' ?"

O tempora, O mores...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 28 Jan 03 - 06:38 AM

McGrath:
Pounds: Hits repeatedly
Shillings: Family of a woman famous for the hats she wears to royal Ascot
Pence: term used by Wordsworth
"And oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pence-ive mood"

Nigel

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: Jeanie
Date: 28 Jan 03 - 06:52 AM

There's also "You Can't Get to Heaven on the Back of a Camel" by Doug Horley, a.k.a. Duggie Dug Dug to his 5 year-old fans. If you are desperate, I can rustle up the lyrics. It's a kind of "Yeee-haah Grand Old Oprey"- type tune.

- jeanie

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: EBarnacle1
Date: 28 Jan 03 - 12:39 PM

Loath though I am to admit it, I used to watch Barney with my kid when he was small. Their version of Alice the Camel had her as a horse.

The Smothers Brothers did a camel racing song on their Purple Onion album, using the melody of Tsena, Tsena.

Good luck and post us with what you decide to use.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: Grab
Date: 28 Jan 03 - 02:26 PM

Hell, if you're really stuck then I'll post a song written by my dad for me. I must have been about 2 at the time. It's in straightforward 2/4 time:

      Am          E           Am
  I'm a cammy-wammy-wammy-wammy-wamel
        Am            E        Am
  I'm a funny-looking ani-mani-mamal
        C              G           Am         E
  I can go through the desert with nothing to drink
          C         G      Am      E
  When I last had a pint I hate to think
  (deep breath)
        Am          G
  I'm a cammy-wammy-wammy-wammy-
  F           C
  wammy-wammy-wammy-wammy-
  Dm          Am    E     Am
  wammy-wammy-wammy-wammy-wamel.

There's at least two more verses, and a tune to go with. I'll post the rest if you want.

Graham.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: winterchild
Date: 28 Jan 03 - 03:25 PM

I can't believe nobody has mentioned "Walk like a Camel" (not that it's about a camel, exactly)!

WinterC

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: BuckMulligan
Date: 28 Jan 03 - 03:39 PM

There was a song that the New Christie Minstrels (I think; perhaps others, maybe even KT) called "Hi Jolly" about a camel driver with the US Army. Not as outlandish as it sounds.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 28 Jan 03 - 04:43 PM

Donals Swann sang a song about a camel train, but he did it in Russian so I can't quote it... it's on one of the 'hat' records.

LTS

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: Joe_F
Date: 28 Jan 03 - 06:07 PM

"In the Desert", on _At the Drop of Another Hat_. "Verbludi" is Russian for "camels".

A song by Kipling that _mentions_ camels is:

The camel's hump is an ugly hump,
As well you may see at the zoo,
But uglier yet is the hump _we_ get
From having too little to do.

Kiddies and grownups too,
When we haven't enough to do,
We all get the hump,
Camelious hump,
The hump that is black and blue.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Jan 03 - 08:05 PM

I'm sure there's an old jingle about Camels, something about walking a mile for one...

You know once they gets their nose in the tent...

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: ADD: Hi Jolly
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Jan 03 - 08:24 PM

Oh, I forgot about "Hi Jolly." I'm not particularly impressed by this transcription, but it's the only one I could find just now. Source is this site. The only recording I recall is by the New Christy Minstrels, and I have a hunch the song was written by Randy Sparks. You'[ll also find another stab at the lyrics in this thread (click).

HI JOLLY

Hi Jolly was a camel driver, long time ago
He followed Mr. Bueno way out west - Yee-haw!
Didn't mind the burning sand in that God-forsaken land
And he didn't mind the pretty gals the best.

   I'm singin' Hi Jolly, Hey Jolly 20 miles a day, by golly
   20 miles before the morning light Wee-chaw!
   Hi Jolly, Hey ya Gotta get on my way ya
   Told my gal I'd be home Sunday night.

There's pretty girls in Alberquerque
'Least that's what they say,
There's pretty gals in Tucumtary too
Woo-hoo!
But honey don't you mind
I won't pay them anytime
'Cause I'm savin' all my lovin' just for you

   I'm singin' Hi Jolly....

Old timers down in Arizona tell you that it's true
It's true!
That you can see Hi Jolly's ghost a-ridin' through
Ooooh
When the desert moon is high
He comes riding into sight
Driving 4 and 20 camels over the hill.

   I'm singin' Hi Jolly....




this site has the story of Hi Jolly, but it's lengthy.

---

Here's a piece from the Chamber of Commerce at Quartzite, Arizona:

Grave of Hi Jolly

There is an scattering of old landmarks around Quartzsite, but the big attraction is the grave of Hadji Ali (Hi Jolly), the Arab camel driver. In 1935, the Governor of Arizona dedicated the pyramid, which marks his gravesite. This pyramid is one of the most visited spots in the southwest.

Hi Jolly (that is now the foreign name sounded to the desert people) came here from his native Syria during the mid 1850's with score or more of North African camels. They had been ordered by the U.S. Army for a desert experiment, and Hi Jolly was hired as the chief camel driver.

The Army hoped that the camels would make excellent beasts of burden in this desert country. But, camels were not compatible with the Army's mules, and the entire plan was junked in 1864.

On February 26, 1864, thirty-four camels were auctioned off at Benecia, CA, and the remaining sixty-six camels were auctioned off at Camp Verde on March 18,1866. A camels found homes in California zoos, while others were bought by circus and side shows eventually being turned loose in the desert.

Hi Jolly kept a few camels and tried to operate a freighting business between Colorado River port cities and the mining camps to the east. Although the camels could carry up to 600 pounds of good and travel more than 60 miles a day without water, his plan, like the Army's did not work out. In 1868, Hi Jolly went to work prospecting and scouting on the side for the government.

Hi Jolly died in 1902. The grave is marked by what has been called the "centerpiece of the cemetery." When you visit you will find a large pyramid made of the stones from the area, and topped by a copper camel.

You can find the Grave of Hadji Ali approximately one mile west on Business Loop 10 from the intersection of SR 95 and B-10.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: Genie
Date: 29 Jan 03 - 02:27 AM

And (with apologies to Lerner & Loewe):

"Don't let it be forgot
That once there was a spot
For selling hump-backed quadripeds--
Known as "Camel Lot!"
 

Genie

(ducking and running before those camels -- and Mudcatters -- start spitting!)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 29 Jan 03 - 03:18 AM

Talking of Kipling, there's "Oonts", which will go to a tune if you look for one. "John Brown's Body" works, with some tweaking.

Steve

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: Richard Wright
Date: 29 Jan 03 - 11:41 PM

Thanks for all the ideas. I think Hi Jolly was written by Terry Gilkinson.
Lots of good ones here and I will post whatever we decide to use.

Richard

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: Bert
Date: 30 Jan 03 - 01:46 AM

Here's an old song that my Dad sings...

I've always had a fancy to ride upon a camel
to ride upon a camel like a sheik
I rode across Sahara on a brutethey called Cascara
and gosh I only stood it for a week

Click clack click there ain't no kick
riding on a camel in the desert
in that land of red hot sand
riding on a camel in the desert
I would never never go, all the way to Jerico
riding on a camel in the desert

We struck a nice oasis with buttercups and daisies
and a girl they called Omaisis there I found
this little Arab's daughter was selling pits of water
I drank so much the bill cost me a pound

Click clack click there ain't no kick
riding on a camel in the desert
in that land of red hot sand
riding on a camel in the desert
I would never never go, all the way to Jerico
riding on a camel in the desert

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 30 Jan 03 - 04:08 AM

Not as good as Oonts but Kipling also wrote this . There must have been a tune in his mind.
They must have had a lot of trouble with those camels.


COMMISSARIAT CAMELS

WE haven't a camelty tune of our own
To help us to trollop along,
But every neck is a hair trombone
(Rtt-ta-ta-ta! is a hair trombone!)
And this is our marching song:
Can't!   Don't! Shan't! Won't!
Pass it along the line!
Somebody's pack has slid from his back
Ónly wish that it was mine!
Somebody's load has tipped off in the road-
Cheer for a halt and a row!
Urr! Yarrh! Grr! Arrh!
Somebody's catching it now!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 31 Jan 03 - 03:23 AM

Old Kippers wrote most of his stuff with a view to it being recited or sung, so he often had a tune in mind. You can usually find one or two that fit, and if you can't, Peter Bellamy probably wrote one.

Steve

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: GUEST,Gene
Date: 31 Jan 03 - 02:34 PM

And of course, there are a couple of wacky country[?] songs:

Humphrey The Camel/Nat Stuckey
Eli The Camel/Ferlin Husky

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: GUEST,Camel Song
Date: 31 Jan 03 - 03:22 PM

FWIW DEPT:

Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan recorded:
Humphrey The Camel...

GENE

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Mar 09 - 12:04 PM

Im looking for a song popular in the 70's. Someone travels through the
United states oon a camel. They use cigarette brand names for cities and people.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 12 Mar 09 - 06:05 AM

And there's the 'Camel-Toe Song' mentioned in This Thread

Nigel

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: GUEST,Cliff Lowe
Date: 19 May 11 - 03:03 PM

For what it's worth!
From a song my father used to sing (60 years ago!)

Ha, Ha, Ha, You and Me,
Now I know the reason why
A Camel's got a hump,
Riding on a camel Oh,
All the way to Jericho,
Riding on a camel in the desert.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: GUEST
Date: 19 May 11 - 04:36 PM

SCOTS (southern culture on the skids) song, Camel Walk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUP5rwVNJko

great song, and an even better band!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 20 May 11 - 04:13 AM

Useful mnemonic:
If you can't tel a bactrian camel from a dromedary, spell them with upper case initials. lay the initials on their backs, The Bactrian has two humps, The Dromedary only one.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Camel songs - anyone know one?
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 20 May 11 - 04:19 AM

There's also a Filk "Grey Camel Line" by Gytha North to the tune of
"Grey Funnel Line"