Favourite Parodies

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: freda underhill
Date: 21 Feb 04 - 09:05 AM

what, me influenced by alfred e neumann?

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: JennyO
Date: 21 Feb 04 - 09:15 AM

What me worry?

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: Peace
Date: 21 Feb 04 - 09:32 PM

My favourite paradise is in the arms of my true love.

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: Shimbo Darktree
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 01:14 AM

Three comments:

Love parodies.

More seem to have been written to "No Man's Land" than to any other song (and the original IS good, thank you!)

I will go on record as saying that I think "The Fields of Athenry" is an excellent song. After many years away from folk clubs, it was the one song I wanted to learn first when I came "back into the fold'. So, to all those who do not like it (a popular stance, of course) ... IN YOUR RESPECTIVE BOOTS! So there!

Shimbo

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 02:15 AM

I liked Mark's song--it was a very good one.

As someone who grew up in a house where musical (and poetical) literacy was a given, parodies were viewed as an expression of wit and intellect that refered back to the original in at least subtle ways beyond the tune. Yes, I get the words to parodies stuck in my head over the top of the original words, but that may be because the parody is a better song. :)

No one has mentioned the absolute master of parody, Tom Lehrer.

SRS

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: GUEST,Shlio
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 01:03 PM

The other day I listened to Half-Man Half-Biscuit's extremely croaky parody of Dylan's "With God On Our Side", called "With Goth On Our Side"

I like the last line especially:
"And we'll all die together
And Dylan can sue"

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: Charley Noble
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 04:18 PM

Dead Horse-

Thanks for the words to "THE BAR IT SMELLED MALODOROUS." It makes my day.

I'm also fond of the parody of the "Roseville Fair" titled the "Rosewood Chair." And who wouldn't love "The Sloop John A"?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: Snuffy
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 08:59 AM

I love parodies, and have many of them in my repertoire.

But I will not do parodies which merely knock the original song - a parody should have more to say than just "I've heard this song too many times/this song is crap". I prefer to sing the real versions of Wild Rover and Fields of Athenry, and there are a lot of folks out there who want to hear them.

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: GUEST,Larry K
Date: 24 Feb 04 - 11:28 AM

I love parodies.   For those who think that music is too serious to have parodies, you should seriously consider another hobby/profession.   Here are my favorite parodies (aside from the 50-60 I have written of which two were published in Sing Out)

Far East Kithcn   (Northwest Passage)   Peter Fishman
Their Way         (My Way)             Bob Blue
Modern Folk Musician (Modern Major Generall) Mike Agranoff/Sam E.
Cosmic and Freaky (Pleasant and Delightful) Grit Laskin
Just a Chicken Bone (Like a Rolling Stone) Wendall Ferguson
Ally McBeal       (Like a Rolling Stone) Devinci's Notebook
Send in the Clams   (Send in the Clowns)
Rolling Mills of NJ (Rolling mills of the border) Roberts & Barrand
Pablo Trilogy- Picasso, Cassas, Zaprooder (SP) Toby Fagenson
Itsy Bitsy Spider (Mary Ellen Carter)
Not in the Book
Old Donut Shop    (Old Rose and Crown) given to me by Shelly Posen
The Squirrel Came Back (The cat came back)
I enjoy being a goy- (I enjoy being a Girl) Bob and Mabel
Anything by Alan Sherman
Most Things from the Capitol Steps
Some things from Weirl Al   (love the Saga Continues)

A friend of mine attempted to sing the Barrets Privateers parody at the Summerfolk round robin in Owens Sound.   The group stopped him and said it was a Stan Rogers festival and they didn't appreciate any parodies of Stan Rogers.   So he sang the original, and no one knew the words.

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 24 Feb 04 - 05:55 PM

Looks like there's a couple of that list not in the DT... :-)

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: Janice in NJ
Date: 24 Feb 04 - 11:45 PM

This one was posted by a guest named Lori on Mudcat three years ago. The tune is "Red Is the Rose," of course.

WHITE IS HIS HAIR

White is his hair except where his head is bare,
And white is his beard and his moustache,
And white are the lies he tells with smiling eyes,
As my heart he so gently touches.

Oh, first he did see me in Washington, D.C.,
When people on the Mall were sunning,
I asked him to my room, to play a loving tune,
And perhaps to do some fancy strumming.

He followed me there, then much to my despair,
His hands held only his old Martin,
Three hours passed in song, while my aching heart did long,
And still it did long at our parting.

Oh, are you so naieve? Or do you just believe,
It was only a little harmless flirting?
Am I ugly? Are you gay? Have your fires gone away?
Or do you like to leave a poor girl hurting?


Lori said, "This is about a particular individual. Smithsonian Folk Festival, 1998."

And I say, "Oo, that's cruel!"

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 03 Mar 04 - 12:30 AM

TTR, I don't know the words to the Mouseketeers song. I think I had them written down once. In fact, as I recall I had them with me and sang it at Singtime Frolics a few years ago...which is probably why you made the perfectly reasonable assumption that I know the words. But I don't. Sorry.

Aloha,
Mark

PS Thanks, Maggie, if that was for me.

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: cloudstreet
Date: 03 Mar 04 - 10:44 AM

From my Aussie mate, Martin Pearson (we play together as "Never the Twain" for those who aren't lucky enough to be Australian) -

The Gandalf Song

(To the tune of Country Roads)

Almost Heaven, old West Farthing
Misty Mountains, Brandywine River
Life is short there, shorter than four feet
You can always trust a hobbit if he's got enough to eat

Chorus
The road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began
Now ever on, the road has gone
And I must follow if I can

Shadowfax me down to Rohan
Minas Tirith is where I must be goin
The ring is nasty, but I've got to know for sure
Got to find those old rolled up scrolls of Isildur

I hear the voices of Sauron, they call to me
Saruman advises me to give the drugs away
Sitting on the tower I get the feeling big bird's coming soon
I'll fly away,
Glad to be Grey.

Joined the company, they're going to need a seer
To lead them through the dusty caverns of Moria
Found a balrog, down by Balin's tomb
I wish they'd had a safety net installed in Kazad Dhum.


I have great reservations about the idea that this parody damaging the popularity of the original.

John

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: JennyO
Date: 03 Mar 04 - 10:51 AM

Personally, I think this is an improvement :-)

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 03 Mar 04 - 11:43 AM

Soave, Soave by Schantieman
(Tune: Sovay, Sovay (trad.); New words by Steve Freedman) Found in Aine's Mudcat song book.

#8-D

Sal

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 03 Mar 04 - 08:41 PM

Well, whadyaknow? They were in the 'trad all along, Mark... Sorry for the intrusion...

Dees 'r dem:

MICKEY'S MOUSEKETEERS
(Bob Pasquarello & John Krumm)

Oh the year was 1955,
How I wish I had some sherbert now,
Disney turned the cameras on
And yelled for "Places, everyone!"

Gosh darn them all, I was told
We'd watch TV 'til we grew old
See the same old programs every year
Now I'm a broken man with these silly ears
The last of Mickey's Mouseketeers!

Every day right after school
How I wish I had some sherbert now
Yes every single afternoon,
I'd watch those Meesekar- Mousekartoons

I had a crush on dear Annette,
How I wish I had some sherbert now
And my poor heart still gives a flutter
When I eat Skippy Peanut Butter

Oh the year was 1959
How I wish I had some sherbert now
Turned the TV on and thought it odd,
No "Spin & Marty," no Jimmy Dodd!

But now I've got my VCR
How I wish I had some sherbert now
And every single afternoon
I watch re-runs of Mousekartoons

Gosh darn them all, I was told
We'd watch TV 'til we grew old
See the same old programs every year
Now I'm a broken man with these silly ears
The last of Mickey's Mouseketeers!

Like I said, I've never made it all the way though, without a major break-up... ;^)
ttr

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: ced2
Date: 04 Mar 04 - 06:50 AM

My late friend Paul Keene had 2 excellent parodies. The first a parody of one of the best known Johnny Cash songs, I walk the line. as follows:-

I keep a close watch on this love of mine,
I keep my pants tied with a piece of twine.
Baby, if you say you'll be mine,
Come round some time, I'll cut the twine.

The other to be sung when there were either too many "finger in left lug-ole" merchants or those that were there were taking the music too seriously was a wonderful piss-take on the Voyage of the Calabar.

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: cloudstreet
Date: 04 Mar 04 - 08:11 AM

To JennyO, Martin's words for black painting are on his solo live album - you can email him at [e-mail].

John

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: JennyO
Date: 04 Mar 04 - 11:31 AM

Thanks John. I'll follow that up as soon as I get back from my relaxing weekend with a bunch of like-minded folk at Snalbans. Roll on tomorrow night!

Jenny

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Mar 04 - 11:41 AM

I have that "twine" parody on tape around here somewhere--only one verse. The word are a little different--these don't scan identically to the original. (Specifically, the "Baby" in there doesn't seem to fit). Chances of my ever finding the tape that a song that size is on are scarce, so I'm relying on memory for this, and I could be wrong.

SRS

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: NoMattch
Date: 04 Mar 04 - 03:32 PM

Come on Seamus Kennedy?!?! You have to have a favourite. See you at Brittinghams this weekend.

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: Joybell
Date: 04 Mar 04 - 05:26 PM

Cobber, we must have crossed paths a time or two. I was Melbourne born and raised and spent all my Friday nights at Frank Traynor's during the 60s. I'm out among the sheep now, and there is a parody of mine, set among the shearing, on the "Help with my knitting thread" You might enjoy it. Cheers Joy

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: ced2
Date: 05 Mar 04 - 06:13 AM

Maybe I missed a word out SRS try in the third line:
Baby, if you say that you'll be mine.

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: GUEST,Tinker from Chicago
Date: 05 Mar 04 - 12:41 PM

Just a guest, but may I add mine? I've gotten a lot of airplay out of this, plus some nasty e-mails from Ariel Rogers.

The IBM Computer (to the tune of "The Mary Ellen Carter")
by Brian Leo ©1999

She went down at 9:30 in a show'r of data bits.
The screen went dark just after having ee-lectronic fits.
There'll be no work today, boys, till the screens come back again,
so we might as well sit back and play some gin.
There was just us five around her when we found we couldn't sign on.
We cried, "Oh, hell. Today, sir, let's just give up and be gone."
But the boss said we should sit there, so we grumbled in disdain:
would our IBM computer rise again?
        
Well, the help desk wrote us off. There was nothing they could do.
"The mainframe's in Wisconsin in a barn in Baraboo.
"We'll surely think of something so you must have faith, my friends."
Then they laughed at us and said to write with...pens!
We grouched until twelve-thirty with naught to do but sit.
"They spent a quarter million on this worthless, high-tech...stuff!"
And with ev'ry cup that we drank up the boss said to remain
in case our IBM computer'd rise again.

Rise again, rise again,        lest her data be lost to the knowledge of men.
All those who want to work, not just sit here and pretend,
pray that their IBM computers rise again.

All morning they've been with her, sixteen programmers or more,
intoning cryptic phrases like some ancient priests of yore.
Some keypunch in the front while others poke around in back,
but still the screen's a cold, forbidding black.
They dance and burn some incense and they make an awful din.
Till one small voice says, "Tell you what. Let's plug the damned thing in."
Behold! the screen's a-glitter and the mouse says, "Where you been?
"Come watch your IBM computer rise again!"
        (chorus)

For we couldn't leave her there, you see, like men who have no hearts.
She'd saved our jobs so many times with color-graphic charts.
And the laughing ones who'd said, "She's done. It's time to buy a Mac,"
they won't be laughing when the screens come back.
And you to whom "computer" means a box that leaves you cold,
with servers, passwords, Windows, ROMs and modules and modes,
reboot, and punch a thousand keys and cuss awhile and then
make your IBM computer, rise again!
        Rise again, rise again!
        though your fingers be broken and the input has no end.
        No matter what you've lost, be it a chart, a graph, a plan,
        like your IBM computer, rise again!

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: Dead Horse
Date: 10 Mar 04 - 07:16 PM

I heard this parody of Rueben Ranzo from an Australian singer,
but had to fill in most of the lyrics due to poor memory......

SON OF A SEA DOG
Well its poor old rotten Bonzo, Bonzo, boys, Bonzo
Yes it's poor old rotten Bonzo, Bonzo me boys, Bonzo

Bonzo was a scabby mutt. A pedigree he was anything but
Bonzo was no spaniel. His name was not Nathaniel
Bonzo was no hound dog. For he was just a brown dog
He was no retriever. So don't let that deceive yer
Bonzo was a loner.   Hated by his owner
His owner wanted a gun dog. But found he had a bum dog
The thing that was absurd is. He was afraid of birdies
A partridge or a plover. Would make him run for cover
He tried his hand at rattin'. But soon he too packed that in
For Bonzo was afraid of rats. Even ran away from cats
Bonzo made his owner weep. "I'll have that mongrel put to sleep"
When Bonzo met a lady hound. She'd sniff his bum and away she'd bound
Tried to mate with a smelly old slipper. Got his pecker caught in the zipper
So Bonzo had no babies. He finally died of scabies
We didn't bury him off Cape Horn. Just dug a hole near the edge of the lawn
His shroud was made of something cheap. That we found on the old dung heap
Dug his grave with rusty trowel. Dogs nearby they did not howl
Buried him in an old ruck-sack. Buried him deep so he don't come back
Lowered him down with the toe of a boot. And on his grave no cross was put
So Bonzo he is dead and gone. Bloody good job, says everyone
Well its poor old rotten Bonzo,   Bonzo, boys, Bonzo
Its poor old rotten Bonzo,   Bonzo me boys, Bonzo

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: GUEST,WATNEY'S FAN USA
Date: 11 Apr 04 - 03:26 PM

HI - I HAVE A QUESTION ? DO THEY STILL BREW WATNEY'S ? I WAS TOLD THEY WENT OUT OF BUSINESS SOME YEARS AGO. IT WAS MY FAVORITE. I'D ALMOST FLY TO ENGLAND TO GET SOME....

THANKS, [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 11 Apr 04 - 08:31 PM

I think you will find that the last post is a plant - to get people to send their email address in reply - I suspect that this is just an another e-mail address harvesting ploy.

Robin

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 11 Apr 04 - 10:59 PM

Loved the IBM Computer parody!

I love parodies too... would have trouble picking just one (will have to think about it).

But -- will post this now, because the link will only be active for another day or so -- til 11.30 a.m. Tuesday 13th April (British Summer Time). Here is a link (in the second column from the left -- titled "Listen to the Latest Programmes", sixth one down) to "Follow That with Your Sea Lions!" a recent BBC radio programme on comedy in British Folk Clubs; you can hear Fred Wedlock singing "The Folker" as well as Jasper Carrot, Max Boyce, Billy Connolly and (dare I mention his name?) Mike Harding... and more.

After 11.30 on Tues, if you click on the same link you will get part 2 of the same programme, which will be available for a week. (After 20th April, it will be a different programme again, but prolly on a completely different subject -- I don't know what, 'cos I don't have the Radio Times for that week yet.)

Anyway... enjoy!

Cheers,

YY

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 12 Apr 04 - 09:13 PM

Oh, dear... I haven't killed this thread, have I?

Larry K -- amen on Allan Sherman & the Capitol Steps. Also just about any parody by Les Barker. Some of my faves have already been mentioned above, including The Folker, Garnet's Home Made Beer, The Rolling Mills of New Jersey, Cosmic & Freaky, and Modern Folk Musician.

Herewith, a few more of my favourite parodies:
Little Boxes   (Made of Plexiglass)    (Little Boxes (Made of Ticky-Tacky)) Joanna Cazden
The Murderous Little Toy    (The Marvelous Little Toy)    Mike Roberts
All Around My Fat    (All Around My Hat)    Penny Ward
Rollin' Down To Bethlehem    (Rollin' Down To Old Maui)    Flawn Williams
Getting Out With a P.H.D.    (Rollin' Down To Old Maui)    Ted Hodapp
Slowing Down To Lethargy    (Rollin' Down To Old Maui)    Toby Fagenson
Gonna Send You My Bio   (On The Bayou)    Pat Donohue
The Winter Time is Comin'    (Will Ye Go, Lassie, Go)    Robin Laing
You Can't Keep Me From Singing (How Can I Keep From Singing)    Gordon MacDonald, Jr
How can I Keep From Eating    (How Can I Keep From Singing)   Russell Aminzade & Sandy Pliskin (am not sure of this, it's my best guess after doing a Google search)
Roseville Fair, Part II    (Roseville Fair)    Sue Trainor
Fashion's Fol de Rol    (don't know the song -- some English drinking song, I think)    Sue Trainor
Will the Turtle Be Unbroken    (Will the Circle Be Unbroken)    Les Barker
Re-Installing Windows    (When I'm Washing Windows)    Les Barker
Everything Glows    (Anything Goes)    Les Barker

Finally (if I may be so bold), I will include here the words to a "sewing chantey" I discovered deep in the dusty archives a few years ago. It's called "GREY FLANNEL LINE" & appears to be by the little-known seamstress-songwriter Carol Tawney...


I work my shift, day after day
Sew thermal undies, all in grey
Perhaps pyjamas, now & then
But then it's back to kecks again
It's one more day on the grey flannel line

Don't mind the grain nor an open seam
A button fly never worries me
But the dullest time in a boring day
Is to watch the knickers roll away
It's one more day on the grey flannel line

No silks or satins do I sew
Them pants & vests, they come & go
Even when corsets roll on by
It's still so boring I could cry
Just one more stay on the grey flannel line

Oh Lord, if dreams were only real
I'd get my hands on some satin teal
Make racy shreds to help me score
And work the grey flannel line no more


Cheers,

YY

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From:
Date: 28 Dec 04 - 05:55 AM

HELP!!!!

I have been chasing all over the net, trying to hunt down a Willy McBride parody I heard part of once in a documentary on Irish Pubs. The story thread is that a man is trying to have a quiet drink and someone is ruining his peace by singing an interminable version of No Mans Land, aka. The green fields of france. I think the Crawford Howard version may be the one I'm looking for. Strange coincidence, the original song was written by Eric Bogle, an Australian. I,m writing from Melbourne Australia in the hope that Crawford Howard has made a recording of this song, if it's the right one. Can you please advise if I have the correct song and if so, does such a recording exist. Crawford Howard hardly makes a ripple on the net, so you are by far my best hope. Please reply to David Taylor,
[e-mail] P.S. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: GUEST,stewart
Date: 14 Jul 08 - 05:53 PM

Eric Bogle is Scottish

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: GUEST,The Sage of Reason
Date: 07 Apr 09 - 09:55 AM

No doubt Paul Keene had been listening to Sheb Wooley (Actor in many westerns usually badman parts. He was also Pete Nolan in the TV sereies Wagon Train) & Singer (most famously for The One-eyed, One-horned, Flying, Purple People Eater) who performed a cabaret act under the name Ben Colder and drunkenly spoofed the famous country songs of the day. He had the ability to imitate the originals very well.

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 07 Apr 09 - 12:18 PM

One of the best-crafted parodies I've encountered was by Barry Sandler (of Green Berets fame); a fine example of clever right-wing composition:

UNIVERSAL PACIFIST

He's five foot two and he's six foot four
And he fights with marches and with tears
He's all of sixty-one and he's just fourteen
He's been a pacifist a thousand years

He's a Catholic, a Quaker, and Atheist, a Jew
A Buddhist or whatever he would be
He knows he should be still and he knows he never will
He doesn't have the courage to be free

And he doesn't love Canada, he doesn't love France
He doesn't love the USA
He doesn't love the Russians but he helps them all he can
He thinks he'll put an end to war that way

And he's selling out democracy, he's fighting for the Reds
He says that it is for the peace of all
He's the one who must decide to surrender to the tide
And he never sees the writing on the wall

But without him how could Hitler have ever conquered France
Without him Caesar would have faced a wall
He's the one who sells his soul as the weapon of cold war
And without him freedom's armies would not fail

He's the universal pacifist, his placards all declare
He has no home or love worth fighting for
Without him men could all be free and brothers don't you see
This is not the way to put an end to war

_____
parody of Universal Soldier ÿUNIVSOLDÿ
@war @political @parody
filename[ UNIVPACF
TUNE FILE: UNIVSOLD
CLICK TO PLAY
SOF

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: Joe_F
Date: 07 Apr 09 - 08:37 PM

1. And the sharks they played melodeons
At the bottom of the sea.

2. Country songs made me rich
And a son of a bitch.

Alas, I only remember those fragments.

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 08 Apr 09 - 02:40 AM

Sung to 'Good Vibrations' by the Beach Boys..
I'm pickin' up a new vibrator
You can have my old puh-tater
oooh wap bop oooh bop wop bop
Good vibrations.....

Ok, this one might be a little 'offensive' so you might want to skip over it... <<<<<<(disclaimer)

Sung to 'All My Lovin' by The Beatles....
Close your eyes, spread your legs
And I'll fertilize your eggs
And won't get off, till I'm through..
And in while I'm away..
I'll beat off every day
And send all my drippings to you.

All My drippings..All my drippings...All my drippings,
All my drippings..Darlin' its just goo....

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: Joe_F
Date: 08 Apr 09 - 08:25 PM

N.B. It would be idle to object to the use of the word "parody" in this thread, which is well established in the folkie community; but it may be worth noting that that is not the proper literary meaning of the word. A parody, properly, is an imitation that makes fun of the style of the author of the original. The "parodies" in this thread are more accurately pastiches.

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: Joe_F
Date: 08 Apr 09 - 08:27 PM

A maraschino cherry, it has no stone.
Chicken a la king, it has no bone.
The story of stupidity, it has no end.
A baby when it's strangled, there's no crying.

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: Haruo
Date: 19 Jun 12 - 02:22 AM

There's another "Grey Flannel Line" sung hereabouts, not about sewing but about men's suit-salesmen. Will post it if I can find it (I don't have it memorized, alas, or thank goodness).

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: GUEST,Don Wise
Date: 19 Jun 12 - 04:25 AM

To go slightly off course here.........I remember some people producing so-called mini-ballads which were,in a sense,parodies of the originals:

"The gallant frigate Amphitrite
She sank in Plymouth Sound"

"Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
No."

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: Leadfingers
Date: 19 Jun 12 - 05:47 AM

I was thinking the post from Guest Watney's Fan USA fitted in well as Watneys Red Barrel as served in UK pus was definately a parody on a decent pint , though EXPORT Red Barrel at least tasted like beer , even if it was on the low S G side

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: bradfordian
Date: 06 Nov 16 - 07:29 AM

From http://www.guntheranderson.com/v/data/garnetsh.htm
With reference to earlier post

ARTIST: Ian Robb
TITLE: Garnet's Homemade Beer

[To the tune of Barrett's Privateers by Stan Rogers, brother of the featured Garnet Rogers]

Oh, the year was nineteen seventy-eight
How I wish I'd never tried it now
When a score of men were turned quite green
By the scummiest ale you've ever seen

/ C - G C / - F C G~ / C G C - / - - G F /

{Refrain}
God damn them all, I was told
This beer was worth its weight in gold
We'd feel no pain, shed no tears
But it's a foolish man who shows no fear
At a glass of Garnet's home-made beer

/ G C - F / C F C F / G C G F~ / C F C F / - - G C /

Oh, Garnet Rogers cried the town / How I wish...
For twenty brave men, all masochists who
Would taste for him his homemade brew

{Refrain}

This motley crew was a sickening sight / How I wish...
There was caveman Dave with his eyes in bags
He'd a hard-boiled liver and the staggers and jags

{Refrain}

Well we hadn't been there but an hour or two / How I wish...
When a voice said: Gimme some homemade brew
And Steeleye Stan hove into view

{Refrain}

Now Steeleye Stan was a frightening man / How I wish...
He was eight feet tall and four feet wide
He said: Pass that jug or I'll tan your hide

{Refrain}

Stan took one sip and pitched on his side / How I wish...
Garnet was smashed with a gut full of dregs
And his breath set fire to both me legs

{Refrain}

So here I lay in me twenty-third beer / How I wish...
It's been ten years since I felt this way
On the night before my wedding day

{Refrain}

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: bradfordian
Date: 06 Nov 16 - 07:31 AM

From http://guntheranderson.com
with reference to earlier post

ARTIST: David Diamond
TITLE: The Folksinger's Lament

[To the tune of the Limerick Rake]

Come all you floor singers, here in this throng
I'll sing you a ditty that's turgid and long
With rhymes that don't rhyme and with meter that's a little bit wrong
And it's not what I'd sing when I'm sober

But I'm ready to sing, now I've had one or two
So you swine at the back needn't run for the loo
You can put up with me like I've put up with you
And I'd like you to join in the chorus

Although my guitar I relentlessly bring
It's never in tune when you ask me to sing
So I'll go a cappella with this little thing
And it's not what I'd sing when I'm sober

There are ninety-four verses I'll stop to explain
And I learned them this morning with infinite pain
I'll just mumble the ones I've forgotten again
And I'd like you to join in the chorus

The verses, of cuckoos and valleys so deep
My intent from the ears of the innocent keep
But you know what I mean if you've not gone to sleep
And it's not what I'd sing when I'm sober

And after the sex comes the violence and gore
With murders and stabbings and blood on the floor
But before all the squeamish ones run for the door
I'd like you to join in the chorus

I go round pretending I gathered this lay
From an ancient agrarian covered with hay
On the floor of the pub where the old fellow lay
'Cause it's not what I'd sing when I'm sober

But the truth is to tell that I stole the refrain
The characters' motives I cannot explain
And next week I'm planning to sing it again
And I'd like you to join in the chorus

I scribbled it down on the back of this sheet
Which I tore from the roll as I sat on the seat
At the back of the pub where the folk-singers meet
But it's not what I'd sing when I'm sober

I carry it round to the clubs where I go
And I ask at the door can I join in the show
And this was the first one that didn't say 'no'
And I'd like you to join in the chorus
 

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: bradfordian
Date: 06 Nov 16 - 07:36 AM

With reference to earlier post

Borscht Riders In The Sky Mickey Katz -youtube

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 06 Nov 16 - 07:54 AM

Not got the words but one of my favourites was Geoff Higginbottom's rendition of "The drivers go wincing at Datsun'.

DtG

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: Snuffy
Date: 06 Nov 16 - 10:42 AM

It's three long springtimes since he bought his car
The dealer who sold it said the car would go far
The finest to come from Japan's far shore
Now it is ready for the scrap heap

There's rust on the bonnet there's rust on the boot
There's rust on the panels and holes in the roof
The engine sounds like a horse with only one hoof
They've got their revenge for Hiroshima

Many parts have now vanished since that first test drive,
The gearbox it sounds like an angry beehive
The clutch it is lying on the southbound M5
Fond mem'ries of holidays in Paignton

Well the carburettor's bust and the oil it runs free
All over the place where the sump used to be
There's a pool of green water from the radiator
And the motorist goes wincing at Datsun

There's a long row of scrap heaps where trees used to grow
It's filled up with Hondas and Datsuns also
So if you want to buy a car remember poor Joe
The motorist who remembers his Datsun

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 06 Nov 16 - 11:37 AM

Well done Snuffy!

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: Joe_F
Date: 06 Nov 16 - 10:50 PM

I have since learned from the OED that my first post on 08 Apr 09 was an ignorant mistake: The musical sense of "parody" (new words to an old tune") is older than the literary sense (takeoff on an author's style).

*

Gordon Bok he wrote a tune
All about the sun and moon
And enduring cold and darkness 'cause the day is coming soon,
But you know he's a musician and he don't get up till noon,
And you know he just turns over in the morning.   -- Garrison Keillor

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: Clean Supper
Date: 07 Nov 16 - 06:17 AM

Along the lines of what Don Wise posted (as a Guest) on 19 Jun 12, is this parody or abridged version of The Man From Snowy River (sorry, I have no idea who wrote this parody).

There was movement at the station, for the word had passed around,
That the colt from Old Regret had got away,
So some blokes went out and got him back.

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: Clean Supper
Date: 07 Nov 16 - 06:29 AM

I also wrote a parody of Country Roads, which I see has had a few goes... This is up there with the most cynical of songs ever to be written, but I was pleased with my re-use of some of the original words or references to them, so I have a fondness for this song :)

NGOs

Almost Nike, Cancer Council,
Heart Foundation, Amnesty or Greenpeace,
Work is cold there, colder than you'd think,
But warmer than in politics, or at Centrelink.

NGOs, take our funds,
From the place they belong,
Cut campaigning, work on branding,
Take our funds, NGOs.

Regulations, gather round them,
Tax deduction, charitable status,
State endorsement, snaps them into line,
Mist out on rebellion, tear-drop in my eye.

NGOs, take our funds,
From the place they belong,
Cut campaigning, work on branding,
Take our funds, NGOs.

I hear their voice on the Morning Show it galls me,
The messaging reminds me of Obama's campaign,
And marching down the road I get the feeling that they'll misrepresent,
Our campaign, once again...

NGOs, take our funds,
From the place they belong,
Cut campaigning, work on branding,
Take our funds, NGOs.
Take our funds, NGOs...

Subject: RE: Favourite Parodies
From: The Doctor
Date: 07 Nov 16 - 07:15 AM

I wrote a parody based on 'April Morning'. I can't claim it's anyone's favourite, but some people like it.

'Twas on one April morning, just as the sun was dawning,
'Twas on one April morning down at the supermart,
There's a checkout girl called Nancy, with everything you can
      fancy,
I thought I'd do my shopping so I got myself a cart.


Now trolleys are false and are full of all deceiving,
Trolleys are false and they seldom will run true,
For they're twisting and they're turning, your intentions they are
      spurning,
They are always on the lookout for some different aisle from
      you.


If I had but my token in my pocket,
If I had put that trolley back again,
There in the car-park I would lock it up for ever,
And I would bother never with such a thing again.


Why do you spend all your long, long time in cursing,
Why do you waste all your energies in vain?
When I'm faced with such a task it would be better with a
      basket,
And all those bloody trolleys can stay out there in the rain.

The tune is obviously the same. Feel free to sing it if you wish.