BS: Childhood Poetry Verse Hunt

Subject: BS: Childhood Poetry Verse Hunt
From: vindelis
Date: 22 Feb 03 - 07:18 PM

I have a friend who remembers the following lines of verse from childhood and wonders a) who wrote it and b) how does it end (he hasn't given me a title either):
Do you wonder when in bed
what it's like when you are dead?
They wrap you in a big white sheet
And drop you down several feet
After about a week
Then the coffin starts to leak
And turns a Mucky? shade of green
And what comes out is salad cream.....
It's at this point that his memory gets hazy. Is there more to follow? If anyone can help I would be grateful. Many thanks Julie.

Subject: RE: BS: Childhood Poetry Verse Hunt
From: SINSULL
Date: 22 Feb 03 - 07:21 PM

The worms crawl in; the worms crawl out.

There have been a few threads on this. Look for worms in the search.

Subject: RE: BS: Childhood Poetry Verse Hunt
From: vindelis
Date: 22 Feb 03 - 07:51 PM

Another success, many thanks.

Subject: RE: BS: Childhood Poetry Verse Hunt
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Feb 03 - 10:36 PM

Eeeyuuooo!!

That's a particularly gruesome version of the song! And what comes out is salad cream--yuck! (I'll bet the kids love it.)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Childhood Poetry Verse Hunt
From: GUEST,maddy
Date: 22 Feb 03 - 11:26 PM

i think what you have there is genuine, un-messed-around-with oral tradition - kids teach that rhyme, along with its sing-song tune to each other.

Subject: RE: BS: Childhood Poetry Verse Hunt
From: Cluin
Date: 23 Feb 03 - 12:15 AM

I always heard it:

"...And when you turn a ghastly green
The pus runs out like whipping cream..."

Subject: RE: BS: Childhood Poetry Verse Hunt
From: Cluin
Date: 23 Feb 03 - 12:18 AM

and it was the ants who "play pinochle on your snout"

Subject: RE: BS: Childhood Poetry Verse Hunt
From: Neighmond
Date: 23 Feb 03 - 12:16 PM

Dont ever laugh as the hearse rolls by, for you may be the next to die

Subject: RE: BS: Childhood Poetry Verse Hunt
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Feb 03 - 12:51 PM

Yes--all of these things in the last several posts are in the version I learned. I think the image of salad dressing (colorful, greasy, recumbent on the greens) versus whipping cream (white and generally more fluffy, less intimidating somehow) is really inspired.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Childhood Poetry Verse Hunt
From: Metchosin
Date: 23 Feb 03 - 01:07 PM

I recall at the end we all chorused "and me without my spoon!"