Lyr Req: One-Eyed Cormorant Looking for a Shag!

19 Sep 11 - 09:14 AM (#3225516)
Subject: Lyr Req: One-eyed Cormorant looking for a Shag!
From: Soldier boy

I am seeking help to find the words and tune for a very humourous song called "The one-eyed Cormorant looking for a Shag".

I heard about this song at Whitby Folk Week this year and was told little bits of it and was told that when others heard this song they ended up with an ache in their sides from so much belly laughing.

Someone mentioned the name of the person who wrote the song but I can't remember it know and sincerely hope that I do not offend the author of this song or anyone else by asking for details of it here on Mudcat.

So hope I am not doing anything inappropriate and that someone can help me.

Many thanks

Chris

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19 Sep 11 - 10:18 AM (#3225542)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One-eyed Cormorant looking for a Shag!
From: Dave Earl

And the difference between a Cormorant and a Shag is?



















You won't find a cormorant in Portsmouth on a Saturday night.

D

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19 Sep 11 - 10:40 AM (#3225557)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One-eyed Cormorant looking for a Shag!
From: Herga Kitty

It was written by Pete McNab, who lives in Cheddar, and one of the people I've heard sing it is Gideon Barrett, lately of Hanging Johnny, who visited Whitby during Folk Week this year (though only briefly I think). IIRC there's been a previous thread on this, which I'll refresh if I find it.

Kitty

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20 Sep 11 - 09:34 AM (#3226052)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One-eyed Cormorant looking for a Shag!
From: Soldier boy

Thanks Kitty

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10 Mar 20 - 04:27 PM (#4038891)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One-Eyed Cormorant Looking for a Shag!
From: GUEST

Has anyone ever been able to find the lyrics?

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10 Mar 20 - 05:39 PM (#4038897)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One-Eyed Cormorant Looking for a Shag!
From: cnd

Read another Mudcat thread here

From this YouTube video I transcribed part of the lyrics. I can't quite fill in all the blanks, and the recording I found picks up partway through, but here's a good start at least.

..... glamorous, and some are quite absurd
But what it is attracts you, it's really hard to tell
But you'll always end up finding a-one that looks quite like yourself

Oh! I'm a one-eyed cormorant, I'm looking for a shag,
I don't want an Eider duck or a drake that's dressed in drag
The bird I want's a cracker, a one-eyed little dish
With a twinkle in that one good eye and a breath that reeks of fish

Well I've been out with other birds, that's the one thing I'll admit
I don't mind ????a lot about???? with a red breast or blue tit
But when it comes to choosing one you really shouldn't rush
For when you think you've chose a nightingale you can end up in the thrush

Oh! I'm a one-eyed cormorant, I'm looking for a shag,
I don't want an Eider duck or a drake that's dressed in drag
The bird I want's a cracker, a one-eyed little dish
With a twinkle in that one good eye and a breath that reeks of fish

Well, the first time that I kissed her, I pecked her on the cheek
But then she went and disappeared, she'd gone for half a week
And when at last I'd found her, well she'd been there all the while
But with one-eyed me next to one-eyed she, it really cramps your style!

Oh! I'm a one-eyed cormorant, I'm looking for a shag,
I don't want an Eider duck or a drake that's dressed in drag
The bird I want's a cracker, a one-eyed little dish
With a twinkle in that one good eye and a breath that reeks of fish

I met her down on the rocks but I've not had any luck
We'd shout out lines like "see you" and "I'd like to see you cluck"
I ???? nor ???? oh, we swallow us with half
But she says "no thanks, darlin' cause that only makes I laugh"

Oh! I'm a one-eyed cormorant I'm looking for a shag,
I don't want an Eider duck or a drake that's dressed in drag
The bird I want's a cracker, a one-eyed little dish
With a twinkle in that one good eye and her breath that reeks of fish

[interlude to the tune of "My Way" by Frank Sinatra]
Egrets, I had a few, but then again too few to mention

Well, I went last a-courtin', no longer on the loose
No more chasing after wrens or looking for the youths
Now you might think I'm stupid going out with the same old hag
But to me she'll always be the one, she's my very first shag

Oh! I'm a one-eyed cormorant I've found meself a shag,
I don't want an Eider duck or a drake that's dressed in drag
The bird I've got's a cracker, a one-eyed little dish
With a twinkle in that one good eye and a breath that reeks of fish
With a twinkle in that one good eye and a breath that reeks of fish

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11 Mar 20 - 04:02 AM (#4038961)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One-Eyed Cormorant Looking for a Shag!
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler

Pete also wrote a sequel where the cormorant explore the possibility that he might be gay.

Robin

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11 Mar 20 - 05:46 AM (#4038981)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One-Eyed Cormorant Looking for a Shag!
From: GUEST,Observer

Goes to the tune of "My Old Man's A Dustman" if memory serves me right.

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11 Mar 20 - 06:12 AM (#4038985)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One-Eyed Cormorant Looking for a Shag!
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler

Very similar.

Robin

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13 Mar 20 - 01:13 PM (#4039352)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One-Eyed Cormorant Looking for a Shag!
From: Mr Red

I did ask Pete if he would allow the lyrics to be posted. He declined. It is his swan song, if you see what I mean...........

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13 Mar 20 - 01:18 PM (#4039353)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One-Eyed Cormorant Looking for a Shag!
From: Mr Red

Lyr Req: One Eyed Cormorant (Pete McNab) previous Mudcat thread

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15 Mar 20 - 12:41 PM (#4039702)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One-Eyed Cormorant Looking for a Shag!
From: EBarnacle

So fill in th blanks, already!

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15 Mar 20 - 01:02 PM (#4039708)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One-Eyed Cormorant Looking for a Shag!
From: EBarnacle

I am surprised that no one has mentioned that fine movie, based on te James Bond canon, "The Shag Who Spied Me."

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16 Mar 20 - 08:10 AM (#4039869)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One-Eyed Cormorant Looking for a Shag!
From: MoorleyMan

So - not wishing to be a "birden" (LOL!), but can any keen songornithologists out there supply the opening couplet?!
To one's "shag-rin", they are tantalisingly clipped from the Harwich ShantyFest rendition...

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15 Jul 21 - 04:56 PM (#4113460)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One-Eyed Cormorant Looking for a Shag!
From: GUEST,Dave

It's sung to the tune of Lonnie Donegan’s 1957 hit “Putting On The Style”.

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16 Jul 21 - 03:38 AM (#4113496)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One-Eyed Cormorant Looking for a Shag!
From: GUEST

Well, the tune I've heard wasn't Putting on the Style (although John "Mitch" Mitchell has used that for his song about geriatric singers and their groupies...).

Kitty

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16 Jul 21 - 06:01 AM (#4113509)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One-Eyed Cormorant Looking for a Shag!
From: GUEST,Sol

Oops - last line again.

      I'd (have her?) down our NIGHTJAR or we'd SWALLOW a SWIFT half"

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16 Jul 21 - 09:07 AM (#4113520)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One-Eyed Cormorant Looking for a Shag!
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler

The tune of the chorus is a variant of putting on the style. The verse is a bit further away from it, as we first sang it back in the 1990s.

Robin

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16 Jul 21 - 03:57 PM (#4113560)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: One-Eyed Cormorant Looking for a Shag!
From: JHW

I think the melody I've heard is like Putting on the style. (but I'm no golfer). Sung superbly at The Glaisdale pub when such things happened. Raggytash or Malcolm will know by who.

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