Lyr Req: Nothin' but a Humbug

Subject: Lyr Req: Nothin' but a Humbug
From: GUEST,Shanty Kees
Date: 16 Apr 05 - 01:32 PM

I'm looking for the words to the above mentioned song. I think I've got most of them but still have some words missing. This is the version of Bob Walser. Is there someone who can complete the lyrics?

NOTHIN' BUT A HUMBUG

Well you're nothin' but a humbug,
So they say, So they say,
Well you're nothin' but a humbug,
That's all I know.

You're nothin' but a humbug,
So they say, So they say,
Well you're nothin' but a humbug,
And that's all I know.

Well a catfish grow on a huckleberry vine,
Catfish grow on a huckleberry vine,

Well dandy Jim from North Carolina,
He's come home for to marry Dinah,

Well I have never seen the likes since I been born,
Sailor on the ????rail cracking out corn,

One day the blackbird said to the crow,
Why do you love your farmer so,

Well that's my trade since Adam was born,
???? farmers corn,

Said the blackbird to the crow,
Don't tell us pretty girls ??? know,

Well high and dry we'll hoist her high,
Hoist her high for a bulgine-pie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nothin' but a Humbug
From: Sorcha
Date: 16 Apr 05 - 02:28 PM

Is this thread any help?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nothin' but a Humbug
From: Peace
Date: 16 Apr 05 - 02:35 PM

I just refreshed that thread. Cross posted. Couldn't get blue clicky to work.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nothin' but a Humbug
From: GUEST,Shanty Kees
Date: 17 Apr 05 - 05:35 AM

Sorry Sorcha, I've read the thread you mentioned but the words I'm missing aren't there. Thanks anyway.

Kees

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nothin' but a Humbug
From: Sue the Borderer
Date: 17 Apr 05 - 06:39 AM

These are what I sing though the words are difficult to make out on the CD. At least it made me check out the meaning of the first one.

Sailor on the taffrail - which according to my dictionary is the rail round the stern of a vessel.

Scratchin and a diggin up farmers corn

Don't tell those pretty girls all I know

Hope this helps.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nothin' but a Humbug
From: GUEST,Shanty Kees
Date: 17 Apr 05 - 04:56 PM

Sue,

Thanks for your help. I'm sure the last two gaps are correct now. I'm not sure about "Taffrail". Listening to Bob's recording, it sounds something like: fiferail but I have no idea what that is. It's not in my dictionary anyway. Thanks again.

Kees

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nothin' but a Humbug
From: Sue the Borderer
Date: 17 Apr 05 - 05:44 PM

Woops! After I posted I went and re-listened to the CD and looked at some other notes, where I too had put fife-rail.

I then looked fife-rail up in my dictionary - and it is there!!!
It says 'Rail round mainmast with belaying-pins' 18 century. So I reckon that's right.

Next time I'll check my facts before posting.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nothin' but a Humbug
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 17 Apr 05 - 08:27 PM

R. H. Dana's "Dictionary of Sea Terms," 1841-1851, or Darcy Lever, "Dictionary of Sea Terms," both on the net, courtesy Harvard.

Fife-rail- The rail going around a mast.
Taffrail or tafferel- The rail around a ship's stern.
Dana Sea Terms

Also Lever, "Dictionary of Sea Terms," 1863-1870.
Tafferel (taffarel, taffrail)- The uppermost part of a ship's stern.
Lever Sea Terms

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Nothin' but a Humbug
From: GUEST,Shanty Kees
Date: 19 Apr 05 - 01:12 PM

Sue,

Thank you very much for your help. I can sing it now without doubt about some words. Thanks again.

Q,

I will bookmark both sides. They maybe handy when in the future I'm wrestling with maritime lyrics. Thanks.

Kees