Lyr Req: Polly Put the Kettle On

20 Mar 97 - 09:44 PM (#3314)
Subject: Lyric Req: Polly Put the Kettle On
From: [e-mail]

I would like lyric for Polly or Molly Put the Kettle On. I hear the lyrics as a young child.

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20 Mar 97 - 10:20 PM (#3317)
Subject: Lyr Add: POLLY PUT THE KETTLE ON^^
From: alison

Polly put the kettle on, (x3)
We'll all have tea.

Sukey, take it off again, (x3)
They've all gone away.

Hope this is what you want.

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09 Feb 00 - 02:32 PM (#175682)
Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Polly Put the Kettle On
From: richardw

As an interesting addendum to this old thread, I just came across a ref. to this being sung by a couple of drovers (cowboys) as they waited to be served in a rough road house in BCs Cariboo country in 1861. So I guess it has been around for awhile.

Richard

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09 Feb 00 - 02:37 PM (#175684)
Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Polly Put the Kettle On
From: MMario

Bruce O could tell you

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09 Feb 00 - 04:44 PM (#175759)
Subject: Lyr Add: POLLY PUT THE KETTLE ON^^
From: Songster Bob

I heard it that way while growing up, too, but have heard a stringband version (DaCosta Woltz's Southern Broadcasters, maybe?) with something like this:

Polly put the kettle on,
Ginny blow the dinner horn,
Polly put the kettle on,
We'll all have tea.

And a parody of same:

Polly plays the kettle drum,
Ginny blows the slide trombone,
Mama plays the clarinet,
And Daddy's leaving home!

Perhaps someone in one of the old-time music newsgroups or lists could help with this version.

Bob Clayton

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09 Feb 00 - 05:05 PM (#175770)
Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Polly Put the Kettle On
From: MMario

according to another thread, published about 1771

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09 Feb 00 - 05:11 PM (#175775)
Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Polly Put the Kettle On
From: GUEST,Bruce O.

Murray on Saltspring cleared up much on that. Search the forum for 'Help: History of', back on last Dec. 10.

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09 Feb 00 - 08:08 PM (#175877)
Subject: Lyr Add: JENNY HANG THE KETTLE ON^^
From: Stewie

Bob, the one you are thinking of is probably the Skillet Lickers' 'Molly Put the Kettle On'. It has the line you quoted, plus irreverent comments about preferring hard liquor and fiddle tune floaters. The Mississippi stringband, The Leake County Revelers, also recorded a spirited version. My favourite recording of this is a delightful banjo piece by Virgil Anderson on his album 'On the Tennessee Line'. It is titled 'Jenny Hang the Kettle On' and has a lyric along the lines of

'Way down yonder in the valley-o
Can't get around for calico
Jenny hang the kettle on
The big'un and the little'un
Jenny hang the kettle on
And we'll all drink tea.

Anderson's LP (County 777) is at the top of my wish list for CD reissue - glorious stuff!

Stewie.

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09 Feb 00 - 11:29 PM (#175966)
Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Polly Put the Kettle On
From: John in Brisbane

Rightly or wrongly I have added some info re Jennie's Bawbee of the History of Children's Songs original thread. Regards, John

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09 Feb 00 - 11:37 PM (#175974)
Subject: Lyr Add: POLLY PUT THE KETTLE ON^^
From: Pete Peterson

I know it via Allan Block who sang a modal version (Mixolydian; chords were G and F) which went

Polly put the kettle on the little one the big one
Polly put the kettle on we'll all take tea
Slice of buread and buttermilk is good enough for anyone
Choose the one you love the best and bring her home to me
Oh dear _____ (girl's name) how I love you
Nobody else do I love like I love you
Heart you have, hand I give you
One more kiss before I leave you

which is AT LEAST as much fun as Gid Tanner and not as well known./ Wonder where Allan got it. . . maybe I can ask him at NEFFA! PETE

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