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Lyr Req: Monkey tune, Belafonte

19 Dec 00 - 12:44 PM (#359858)
Subject: Monkey tune, Belafonte
From: Mountain Dog

I'm looking lyrics for a tune recorded by Harry Belafonte that begins:

"On Monday mornin', I got up late
There was this'a monkey outside me gate
(repeat...

The chorus begins:

"Don't know what to say the monkey won't do..."

The song wryly details the mayhem and depredations committed by the monkey and winds up with an invitation to the listener to join Harry for a repast of monkey stew in the none-too-distant future! I've looked in the DT without success. Anyone know this one?

Many thanks!

20 Dec 00 - 08:31 AM (#360307)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Monkey tune, Belafonte
From: Rincon Roy

If no one comes up with an easier source, I can transcribe from the album. I've got it around here somewhere. Oh, and all this about monkeys is true: A friend of mine owned a pet monkey years ago & came home one day to find the house TRASHED and the exuberant monkey no where to be found. He finally spotted the critter's tail poking out of its hiding place and ....

20 Dec 00 - 08:37 AM (#360315)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Monkey tune, Belafonte
From: Mountain Dog

Dear Roy,

If no-one else comes through, I'd be much obliged to you for the transcription! Thanks for the kind offer!

Mountain Dog

20 Dec 00 - 01:13 PM (#360467)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Monkey tune, Belafonte
From: Mrrzy

AND...????

20 Dec 00 - 01:26 PM (#360471)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Monkey tune, Belafonte
From: MMario

cats, dogs, squirrels and yes, even rabbits have been known to trash houses too. Can't just blame it on the monkeys. And I've seen some pretty severe damage that's been done by parrots.

21 Dec 00 - 12:08 AM (#360850)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Monkey tune, Belafonte
From: Rincon Roy

MM is right; any of these misbehaving rascals can wreck your place (just what did that parrot do?); but I still contend that, for pure "glee" in the process, a monkey is a real piece of work.

Oh, the "and" part was just that my friend was a tad upset and launched the critter into space long before sputnik.

Will post lyric when I've figured it out.

22 Dec 00 - 01:36 AM (#361594)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Monkey tune, Belafonte
From: Rincon Roy

found web-site post of the lyrics, but naturally not till I'd torn the house apart looking for old Belafonte tape to transcribe from. Anyway, look here: http://w1.844.telia.com/~u84405227/lyrics/monkey.htm

22 Dec 00 - 11:11 PM (#362101)
Subject: Lyr Add: MONKEY (from Harry Belafonte)
From: rube1

MONKEY From Belafonte recording

One Monday morning I got up late
There was Mr. Monkey outside the gate
Don't know what to say the monkey won't do (2x)

My girl came over to have a drink
I came downstairs and what do you think
The monkey had run and he let her in
He poured her a glass of me favorite gin

Don't know what to say the monkey won't do (2x)
When I drink gin, monkey drink gin too
Don't know what to say the monkey won't do

I ran to the yard to get a stick
But I telling you friends the monkey was quick
When I return much to my disgrace
The monkey had my gal in a mad embrace

Don't know what to say the monkey won't do (4x)

break

I went to me bath for a Burma Shave
This monkey going put me in my grave
The entire cabinet was laid to waste
I had to shave with some GLEEM toothpaste

Don't know what to say the monkey won't do (2x)
When I go shave monkey go shave too
Don't know what to say the monkey won't do

Well by this time I was in despair
I was using the shoe brush to brush me hair
I ask him to leave but he stayed around
He pulled the chain and I almost went down

Don't know what to say the monkey won't do (4x)

Well me patience run out and I'm telling you sure
Tomorrow I'm going show the monkey the door
And if he don't leave I'm inviting you
To my house for dumplings and monkey stew

Don't know what to say the monkey won't do (4x)

When I drink gin monkey drink gin too
Don't know what to say the monkey won't do
When I go brrrr monkey go brrrr too
Don't know what to say the monkey won't do
When I go down monkey go down too
Don't know what to say the monkey won't do
When I go up monkey go up too
Don't know what to say the monkey won't do (3x)
When I play drum monkey play drum too
Don't know what to say the monkey won't do (2x)

Amazing how Belafonte articulates. No trouble at all transcribing these lyrics. Just happened to have the cassette within arm's reach.

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 24-Jul-02.

22 Dec 00 - 11:59 PM (#362124)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Monkey tune, Belafonte
From: Mountain Dog

Dear Roy and Rube,

Many thanks to both of you! I really appreciate your help and look forward to returning the favor some day.

MD

23 Dec 00 - 01:21 AM (#362167)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Monkey tune, Belafonte
From: Rincon Roy

(I think Rube's version was better than the online one I'd found)

20 Sep 04 - 05:17 PM (#1276719)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Monkey tune, Belafonte
From: GUEST,honeydhont

Like many Belafonte-songs, this one is rooted in Trinidad.
The Monkey was first recorded by calypsonians The Lion, The Tiger & King Radio in 1936. It has been reissued on a Rounder-CD (with lyrics and all) called "Fall Of Man: Calypsos On The Human Condition", highly recommended !
Especially King Radio (real name: Norman Span) was many times covered by Belafonte: Man Smart (Woman Smarter), Matilda and Brown Skin Girl were all his.