Origins: Adam and Eve (Aussie)

Subject: Origins: Adam and Eve (Aussie)
From: Fergie
Date: 06 Feb 04 - 11:29 AM

When I lived in Sydney over 20 years ago I learned a song from old chap named Con Clerkin who was born in Prosperous Co. Kildare. He claimed that he learned this song from the composer who was he claimed a Corkman named Collins who was the last of Sydney's streetballad composer/singers.

I can't recall the full text but it went as follows

Adam and Eve in the garden sat
They had no need to worry,
But something played on Eve's mind
Which caused her to sigh and worry,
When she got up to pace about
She looked just like Diana
And Adam said well Eve my dear
Would you like a ripe banana
Banana, Banana a rich and ripe banana
And Adam said well Eve my dear
would you like a ripe banana.

They were as happy as could be
Being free from all earthly care
They were allowed to eat all fruit
except the apple rare
But the divil came just like a snake
Some say like a Goanna
And Adam ate the apple rare
But Eve had a Banana
Banana, Banana a rich and ripe banana
And Adam ate the apple rare
But Eve had a Banana

MISSING VERSES

Oh fruit is good at any time
It keeps us strong and healthy
The young the old the sailor boy
the poor likewise the Gentry
There are peaches pears and apricots
So next time you meet your Alannah
Dont be shy she'll love you boy
If you give her a banana
Banana, Banana a rich and ripe banana
Dont be shy she'll love you boy
If you give her a banana

Does this strike a chord with anybody?
Do we know any more about the composer?
Can anybody recall the other verses?
Fergus

Subject: RE: Origins: Adam and Eve (Aussie)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 07 Feb 04 - 07:10 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Origins: Adam and Eve (Aussie)
From: Fergie
Date: 09 Feb 04 - 07:47 AM

I would hate to see this thread sink without a trace
Fergus

Subject: RE: Origins: Adam and Eve (Aussie)
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 09 Feb 04 - 07:54 AM

G'day Fergie,

Actually, it does strike a chord ... unfortunately it doesn't strike any lyric or melody!

I'll try to ignore it long enough for me to snea up on the relevant grey cells!

Regard(les)s,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Origins: Adam and Eve (Aussie)
From: Fergie
Date: 24 Feb 04 - 10:50 AM

I cannot write or transcribe music but the tune is similar to the first two lines of the song "Goodbye Mick"

And it's goodbye Mick and goodbye Pat and goodbye Kate and Mary
The anchor's aweigh, the gangways up, I'm leaving Tipperary
And now the steam is blowing off, I have no more to say
I'm bound for New York City boys, three thousand miles away

Does this help to jog any memories?
Fergus

Subject: RE: Origins: Adam and Eve (Aussie)
From: Joybell
Date: 24 Feb 04 - 04:22 PM

I haven't heard it but yes, lets keep the thread alive while Bob sneas! Joy

Subject: RE: Origins: Adam and Eve (Aussie)
From: freda underhill
Date: 24 Feb 04 - 05:11 PM

i've heard someone sing this at a session.. must ask about!

Subject: RE: Origins: Adam and Eve (Aussie)
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 25 Feb 04 - 05:19 AM

OK Joybell,

Those recalcitrant grey cells I was trying to sneak up on must have been the same ones that should control what passes for my "typing" skills! I still remember this from somewhere ... but I don't yet remember where. Let's hope 'freda underhill' pins down that session

Regards,

Bob

Subject: RE: Origins: Adam and Eve (Aussie)
From: Fergie
Date: 14 Mar 04 - 11:20 AM

As I mentioned in another thread concerning Eureka Stockade I found a book The Penguin Book of Australian Ballads, edited by Russel Ward published 1964. I found it in the library of the school where I teach. I have been reading through it and I came across the following;

'Percy the Poet'' whose real name was P.F. Collins composed, published and sold his own street-ballads in Sydney during the 1920s and 1930s. Some of them like Les Darcy and Phar Lap, passed into oral tradition and have been recorded in different versions as far afield as North Queensland. Learned critics have been known to carp at Percy's prosody, but none have denied his patriotism or that he was possessed by the true furor poeticus.

The book gives the words to four of his compositions; Les Darcy, Phar Lap, Why Women Rule the World, and The Power of a Banana.

The Power of a Banana

Adam and Eve in the garden sat,
They had no cause to hurry -
But something in the mind of Eve
Caused her to sigh and worry.
When she got up and walked about
As handsome as Diana;
Then Adam said to her, my dear,
Do have a ripe Banana.

Chorus
Banana, Banana,
Ripe and sweet Banana.
If your wife is cross with you,
Just give her a Banana.

They were as happy as could be,
And free from earthly care;
They were allowed to eat all fruits,
Except onbe apple rare-
But the Devil came just like a snake,
Some say like a goanna.
Then Adam ate the apple rare,
And Eve had a Banana.

A friend of mine two years ago,
Met with a lovely girl,
Her golden hair and large blue eyes,
Would facinate an Earl.
She is now his wife and happy too,
Her name it is Johanna -
She's proud of him, why so, because
He gave her a Banana.

Sure, fruit is good at any time,
'Twill make one strong and healthy,
The King, The Queen, the soldier boy,
The poor, likewise the wealthy.
There's Peaches, Pears and Passion-fruit:
When next you meet Susanna -
Don't be shy, wink your left eye,
And give her a Banana.

In the version that Con Clerkin gave to me there were other verses but I cannot recall how they went, the third verse in the book wasn't part of Con's version. The version as printed in the book scans well to the air I learned from Con. There are many small differences in the phrasing but essentially they are identical. I would be interested to hear your comments.
Fergus