Lyr Req: Cap'n Collins and the Mermaid (Annie Lore

Subject: Lyr Req: Capt. Collins and the Mermaid
From: GUEST,Billy Bones
Date: 13 Aug 06 - 08:11 PM

I am looking for the lyrics and tune to a song named "Captain Collins and the Mermaid" by Annie Lore. This one is really obscure, folks, so it should be a challenge. Here's the first stanza:

'Twas on board the Bonnie Lily
Came a voice both wet and chilly
It was a mermaid singing shrilly,
Singing "Fannie Adams",

Cho: Fannie Adams! Fannie Adams! Singing Fannie Adams!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Capt. Collins and the Mermaid
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 01:30 AM

I thought maybe it was Captain Jack and the Mermaid, but I guess not.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Capt. Collins and the Mermaid(Annie L
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 02:16 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Capt. Collins and the Mermaid(Annie Lore)
From: Dave Swan
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 02:20 PM

Gimme a day or two on this one. I might be able to help. D

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Capt. Collins and the Mermaid(Annie Lore)
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Oct 08 - 10:21 PM

OK - after over TWO YEARS, here goes:

CAPTAIN COLLINS AND THE MERMAID
(Annie Lore)

T'was on board the bonny "Lily"
Came a voice both wet and chilly
T'was a mermaid singing shrilly
Singing Fanny Adams

Fanny Adams, Fanny Adams,
Singing Fanny Adams

Cries the Captain, "Ho there madam,
Please don't sing that 'Fanny Adams'
I hate that song with a passion,
Don't sing Fanny Adams!"

Fanny Adams, Fanny Adams,
Don't Sing Fanny Adams

She threw herself upon the rudder
Gave a scornful look above her
Sang the gorey parts the louder
Singing Fanny Adams

Fanny Adams, Fanny Adams,
Singing Fanny Adams

But the captain, now undaunted
Told the crew a net was wanted
Cast it o'er her while she taunted
Singing Fanny Adams

Fanny Adams, Fanny Adams,
Singing Fanny Adams

Now at last the mermaid pleaded
No such hasty act was needed
"Let me go on unimpeded!
Won't sing Fanny Adams!"

Fanny Adams, Fanny Adams,
No more Fanny Adams

"Quit yer moanin!" sez the captain,
"For in a cage you'll soon be clapped in,
You will make a fine attraction
Singing Fanny Adams!"

Fanny Adams, Fanny Adams,
Singing Fanny Adams

Almost midnight came a roaring
All the seamen stopped their snoring
T'was a sound distinctly falling,
T'was not Fanny Adams

Fanny Adams, Fanny Adams,
T'was not Fanny Adams

"Oh, set my daughter free by heaven!
I told her be home by seven!
Here it is half past eleven!
You'll get Fanny Adams!"

Fanny Adams, Fanny Adams,
You'll get Fanny Adams

The crew they looked at one another
"Say! That is the mermaids mother!
We had best get under cover!
Curse that Fanny Adams!

Fanny Adams, Fanny Adams,
Curse that Fanny Adams

Cries the Captain, "Let her chatter
She'll be tamer out of water
We'll server her just like her daughter
She'll sing Fanny Adams!"

Fanny Adams, Fanny Adams,
She'll sing Fanny Adams

Behold, the mother then submerged
Cries the captain "Crew have courage!
You have no cause to be worried
THAT for Fanny Adams!"

Fanny Adams, Fanny Adams,
That for Fanny Adams

But now an hour later, hardly,
Came a clamor most ungodly
The mermaids extended family
Singing Fanny Adams

Aunts and uncles by the dozens
inlaws, outlaws, dads and cousins
plus some unrelated dolphins
Singing Fanny Adams

Fanny Adams, Fanny Adams,
Singing Fanny Adams

The Captain cried "I just can't take it!
Curse that song, oh how I hate it!
I went to sea just to escape it!
That song Fanny Adams"

Fanny Adams, Fanny Adams,
That song Fanny Adams

"Oh take your daughter with my curses
Life with her is worse than worthless
If I ever see you surface
I'LL sing Fanny Adams!"

Fanny Adams, Fanny Adams,
I'll sing Fanny Adams

They threw the mermaid to her mum
She cried "Them sailors ain't no fun!
They wouldn't let me have no rum,
And, they won't sing Fanny Adams!

Fanny Adams, Fanny Adams,
The won't sing Fanny Adams

---

See definitive lyrics from Annie Lore below.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Capt. Collins and the Mermaid(Annie Lore)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Oct 08 - 12:43 AM

Izzat you who posted, Dave? Thanks for the lyrics.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Capt. Collins and the Mermaid(Annie L
From: Charley Noble
Date: 14 Oct 08 - 08:40 PM

Sure looks as if "Pirate" Billy Bones' request was finally nailed. Anyone want to contact him? I believe he is still resident in the San Francisco Bay area.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Capt. Collins and the Mermaid(Annie Lore)
From: ClaireBear
Date: 14 Oct 08 - 10:08 PM

Charley, is "Billy Bones" Skip?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Capt. Collins and the Mermaid(Annie Lore)
From: GUEST,Annie Lore
Date: 15 Oct 08 - 04:45 AM

Hi, folks!
   Too bad no one had the LP; the full lyrics to "Cap'n Collins and the Mermaid", plus all of the "Grey Cocked Hat" album were on the liner notes. The words above are close, but not quite accurate, I'm afraid. I really must enunciate better! "She threw herself upon the rudder"???
   Of course, by correcting to the original copyrighted version I interfere with the Folk Process, which thrives on the garbling that is the inevitable accompaniment to oral transmission... BUT-- as a compulsive corrector and a person vain of her doggerel-composing abilities I must have my say.
   Unfortunately the hour is late and I'm just not up to retyping right now. The lyrics are in a Word file on a floppy; the floppy drive, which is swapped around between three computers, has gone missing (though I suspect that it reposes in some stratum of papers on my husband's desk) so I'll return to this another time.
   To prevent such calamities in future, I promise faithfully to make AnnieLore.com active VERY SOON so that I can provide the correct lyrics to all my material and thus forever stifle all that lovely creativity out there.
                           Fond regards,
                            Annie Lore

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Capt. Collins and the Mermaid(Annie L
From: Susan of DT
Date: 15 Oct 08 - 06:12 AM

Annie

Shall I wait until you post the original version before harvesting it for the Digital Tradition? Post it soon.

Subject: Lyr Add: CAP'N COLLINS AND THE MERMAID (Annie Lore
From: GUEST,Annie Lore
Date: 15 Oct 08 - 01:41 PM

Dear Susan;
   Yes! Do wait! And I hope that 'Billy Bones' and 'GUEST' get a look soon too. Especially when it's wanted for any sort of publication, original copyrighted material and any permission really should be obtained from the author (imagine wagging finger). I'm quite tickled that people are singing (and I trust enjoying) my songs, since that's what they're for, but I do require that they be rendered correctly for publication, and I like to know where they'll appear. Private use can of course go completely off the map... and I'm flattered to have been 'filked' on one or two of my pieces. I can be reached at [e-mail] in case of questions.
   Fortunately the floppy drive surfaced, the files are being backed up in other locations, so below find the original grammatically, legally and morally approved version of "Cap'n Collins and the Mermaid", complete with obsessively exact punctuation. As this format doesn't support italics I've substituted capitals or quotations where needed. I've also added one verse with chords in D minor and A minor shapes, so people can see how pathetically simple my arrangements really are.
   Perhaps I should send along "Sweet Fanny Adams" as well at some point, since Mr. Google doesn't seem to know about this particular ballad (which I did not write), though poor little murdered Fanny is certainly well represented in British music and folk culture.

P.S. to Dave Swan: Hey, Dave! Long time no anything. You know, you could have just called Tom; he has my number.

The song:

CAP'N COLLINS AND THE MERMAID
(c1987 by Annie Lore)

1. 'Twas on board the "Bonnie Lillie",
Came a voice both wet and chilly;
'Twas a Mermaid singing shrilly,
Singing 'Fanny Adams'.
Refrain:
'Fanny Adams', 'Fanny Adams',
Singing 'Fanny Adams'.

2. Cries the Captain: "ho there, madam!
Please don't sing that 'Fanny Adams';
I hate that song with a passion;
Don't sing 'Fanny Adams'."
Refrain:
" 'Fanny Adams', 'Fanny Adams',
Don't sing 'Fanny Adams'."

3. She drew herself up all the prouder,
Gave a scornful look about her,
Sang the gory parts the louder,
Singing 'Fanny Adams'.
Refrain:
'Fanny Adams', 'Fanny Adams',
Singing 'Fanny Adams'.

4. But the Captain, nothing daunted,
Told the crew a net was wanted;
Cast it o'er her while she taunted,
Singing 'Fanny Adams'.
Refrain:
'Fanny Adams', 'Fanny Adams',
Singing 'Fanny Adams'.

5. "Now alas!" the Mermaid pleaded,
"No such hasty act was needed!
Let me go on unimpeded;
I won't sing 'Fanny Adams'!"
Refrain:
" 'Fanny Adams', 'Fanny Adams',
No more 'Fanny Adams'!"

6. "Quitcher moanin' ", says the Captain,
"For a cage you'll soon be clapped in;
You will make a fine attraction,
Singing 'Fanny Adams'."
Refrain:
" 'Fanny Adams', 'Fanny Adams',
Singing 'Fanny Adams'."

7. But near midnight came a roaring--
All the seamen stopped their snoring;
'Twas a sound distinctly 'foreing':
'Twas not 'Fanny Adams'.
Refrain:
'Fanny Adams', 'Fanny Adams',
'Twas not 'Fanny Adams'.

8. "Oh, set my daughter free, by heaven!"
I told her be home by seven;
Here it is half-past eleven!
You'll get 'Fanny Adams'!"
Refrain:
" 'Fanny Adams', 'Fanny Adams',
You'll get 'Fanny Adams'!"

9. The crew they looked at one another;
"Save us! it's the Mermaid's mother!
We had best get under cover;
Curse that 'Fanny Adams'!"
Refrain:
" 'Fanny Adams', 'Fanny Adams',
Curse that 'Fanny Adams'!"

10. Cries the Captain: "let her chatter!
She'll be tamer out of water;
We'll serve her just like her daughter;
She'll sing 'Fanny Adams'!"
Refrain:
" 'Fanny Adams', 'Fanny Adams',
She'll sing 'Fanny Adams'!"

11. The old mer-mother then 'submeraged';
Says the Captain, fair encouraged:
"You had no cause to be worried;
THAT for 'Fanny Adams'!"
Refrain:
" 'Fanny Adams', 'Fanny Adams',
THAT for 'Fanny Adams'!"

12. But an hour later hardly
Came a clamour most ungodly:
The Mermaid's EXTENDED FAMILY,
Singing 'Fanny Adams'!
Refrain:
'Fanny Adams', 'Fanny Adams',
Singing 'Fanny Adams'!

13. Aunts and uncles by the dozens,
In-laws, outlaws, dads and cousins,
Plus some unrelated dolphins,
Singing 'Fanny Adams'.
Refrain:
'Fanny Adams', 'Fanny Adams',
Singing 'Fanny Adams'.

14. The Captain cried: "I just can't take it!
Curse that song, oh how I hate it!
I went to sea just to escape it,
That song 'Fanny Adams'!"
Refrain:
" 'Fanny Adams', 'Fanny Adams',
That song 'Fanny Adams'!"

15. "Take your daughter with my curses;
Life with her is worse than worthless;
If I EVER see you surface,
I'LL sing 'Fanny Adams'!"
Refrain:
" 'Fanny Adams', 'Fanny Adams',
I'LL sing 'Fanny Adams'!"

16. They threw the Mermaid to her mum--
She cried, "them sailors ain't no fun!
They wouldn't let me have no rum,
And they won't sing 'Fanny Adams'!"
Refrain:
" 'Fanny Adams', 'Fanny Adams',
They won't sing 'Fanny Adams'!"

Chords:

DM (AM)
'Twas on board the Bonnie Lillie,
C (G)
Came a voice both wet and chilly;
DM (AM)          C (G)
'Twas a Mermaid singing shrilly,
DM (AM) C (G) DM (AM)
Singing 'Fanny Adams'.
Refrain:
F (C)                  C (G)
'Fanny Adams', 'Fanny Adams',
DM (AM) C (G) DM (AM)
Singing 'Fanny Adams'.

Subject: Capt. Collins and Fanny Adams
From: GUEST,Annie Lore
Date: 15 Oct 08 - 03:30 PM

P.S. Have just put "Fanny Adams" lyrics and info on the "Lyr Req: Sweet Fanny Adams" thread, though neglected to fill in my name. Enjoy, all.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Capt. Collins and the Mermaid(Annie Lore)
From: ClaireBear
Date: 15 Oct 08 - 07:01 PM

Hi Annie,

I had some folks in New England in stitches recently with your "Roving Repairman." Lovely to see you posting hereabouts!

Claire (Jeni, as was)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Capt. Collins and the Mermaid(Annie Lore)
From: GUEST,Billybones
Date: 16 Oct 08 - 09:38 PM

No, I am NOT Skip although I love his song by the same name.

Annie, I have been trying to contact you to get the PROPER lyrics for at least two years now. Hurray for spam filters.

I just made up lyrics for what I couldn't understand.

This is AWESOME.   Thanks, Annie! Now...If you can tell me where I can send you money so I can get a copy of Grey Cocked Hat!

~B.B.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Capt. Collins and the Mermaid(Annie Lore)
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Oct 08 - 10:43 PM

>Of course, by correcting to the original copyrighted version I
>interfere with the Folk Process, which thrives on the garbling that
>is the inevitable accompaniment to oral transmission

Actually, it's the inevitable garbling that occurs with an ancient tape cassette, a veteran of the Coke/Pepsi cola wars that's lived under a car seat during more road trips than a Jack Kerouac literary compendium, eventually buried in a shoe box at the bottom of a neglected storage cellar, and then miraculously risen again from the dead. Only wines and scotch get better with this kind of age.