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Lyr Req: Hey-Diddle-Diddle (from Harry Champion)

08 Feb 11 - 08:38 PM (#3091490)
Subject: Lyr Req: Hey-Diddle-Diddle (from Harry Champion)
From: Jim Dixon

I would appreciate any help in fixing any errors or missing words in the following transcription. Notice there is quite a large gap in the first line of verse 3, where I found the words unintelligible, and line 2 of that verse doesn't make much sense.

From the recording found at YouTube:
(It is the second of 2 songs in that "video.")



HEY-DIDDLE-DIDDLE
As recorded by Harry Champion, 1916

1. We've got a lodger. He's a funny old dodger. He's gone music-mad.
Last week the nanny-goat he went and had a fit and I had the toothache bad.
He starts to play at the break of day and also in the middle of the night.
He'll play so sweet that it tickles my feet and my old girl wants to fight.

CHORUS: With his hi-diddle-diddle on the middle of his fiddle he can fiddle-fiddle-diddle all day.
Root-toot-toot on his little bit of flute, he'll sit for hours and play
"Home Sweet Home" on a paper and a comb. His wife's gonna leave him all alone,
For all night long he's singing her a song and winding up the gramophone.

2. Last Sunday night he had a birthday and a fight, and around came all his crew.
He played ragtime, dinner time, tea time, supper time, and bedtime too.
He blew so hard on his old bombard, the ceiling in the middle had a crack.
On top of me and my old gal in bed, they all came through with a whack-tiddy-whack-whack. CHORUS

3. Our ... doing the kangaroo hop.
I had to double upstairs, undress, and bop him on the nose with a prop.
He said, "Old sport, I reckon you ought to let me live rent free."
I said with a groan, "Take your old trombone and go to Bermondsey." CHORUS


09 Feb 11 - 03:07 PM (#3091965)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hey-Diddle-Diddle (from Harry Champion)
From: GUEST,leeneia

I tried, Jim, but I couldn't figure it out. I think I hear the words swing and begin, but that's all.

I think the second line is correct, but you're right; it's awkward.