To Thread - Forum Home

The Mudcat Café TM
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=57137
14 messages

Lyr Req: old cockney song

24 Feb 03 - 07:55 AM (#897195)
Subject: Lyr Req: old cockney song
From: GUEST

I remember as a kid hearing a song that had a verse that went "One leg up and one leg down like an old cock sparrow." any ideas

24 Feb 03 - 09:55 AM (#897270)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: old cockney song
From: Gervase

Bugger it! I know exactly the song you mean, and I can hear Jerry Milne singing it in my mind's ear - the chorus is about Eros in Piccadilly "wiv 'is bow an' arrer". But I can't remember the bloody words. I'll have a rummage and see if I can find it...

24 Feb 03 - 10:15 AM (#897286)
Subject: Lyr Add: EROS (Sidney Carter)
From: Dave Bryant

Strangely enough, Gevase, Gerry is the very person who I got these words from in the first place.

EROS
Sidney Carter

My father was a cupid and my mother pushed a barrer
I was born in Piccadilly, with a bow and arrer

One leg up and one leg down
Like an old cock sparrer
Flying over Piccadilly
With me bow and arrer

Caesar came to London Town, thought the girls were pretty
Look at all those Roman noses, walking round the City

Up the river came a load of whiskers long and flaxen
If your eyes are china blue, then blame it on a Saxon

Up the river came a Viking, out for blood and thunder
Saw a lady to his liking, then began to plunder

William came to conquer us, then we got the Yanks, sir
So, if you look like Ronald Reagan, you know who to thank, sir

I've got feathers on me back, and arrers in me quiver
Just because me father came a-flying up the river

Where's your Cockney pedigree? I'm surprised you asked it
Everybody's been and put a bun into the basket

HTML close italics command added. --JoeClone, 7-Mar-03.

24 Feb 03 - 10:20 AM (#897291)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: old cockney song
From: Dave Bryant

Sorry, meant to put after the chorus - if any convenient Joeclone would like to fix it for me.......

My fault for not using Preview.

24 Feb 03 - 10:24 AM (#897298)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: old cockney song
From: Gervase

That's it - spot on, Dave!

24 Feb 03 - 10:30 AM (#897301)
Subject: Lyr Add: old cockney song/Eros
From: Sorcha

Add in the box for Dave Bryant's post of 24 Feb 03 - 10:15 AM this thread.

24 Feb 03 - 08:02 PM (#897786)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: old cockney song
From: Leadfingers

Gawd Dave Bryant actually did something usefull.we will have pigs flying next.
    Which translates as Sod Him He Beat Me Too It>

24 Feb 03 - 09:02 PM (#897842)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: old cockney song
From: The Walrus

"...William came to conquer us, then we got the Yanks, sir
So, if you look like Ronald Reagan, you know who to thank, sir..."

I knew it as:
"...So, if you look like 'Tricky Dicky', you know who to thank, sir..."

(I'm obviously of a slightly different vintage) I'm sure other US presidents could be used - Although Dwight D Eisenhower might be a little difficult to scan.

Regards

Walrus

25 Feb 03 - 05:51 AM (#898097)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: old cockney song
From: Nigel Parsons

Walrus:
"...So, if you look like Uncle Ike, then you know who to thank, sir..."

Nigel

25 Feb 03 - 06:41 AM (#898118)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: old cockney song
From: Dave Bryant

Or:

If you're as thick as Georgie Bush.....

25 Feb 03 - 08:02 AM (#898160)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: old cockney song
From: GUEST

Thanks guys that is exactly what I remember. Does the chorus go after each verse? What tune is it sung to - that is what is stumping meat present.

25 Feb 03 - 08:08 AM (#898162)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: old cockney song
From: Gervase

The tune I remember is 'Yankoo Doodle' - certainly on the chorus (which comes after each verse)

25 Feb 03 - 06:16 PM (#898651)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: old cockney song
From: Jon Bartlett

I was just about to post a request for this song! Yes, I recall the tune (for the verses as well as the chorus) as "Yankee Doodle".

Jon Bartlett

25 Feb 03 - 06:21 PM (#898655)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: old cockney song
From: vindelis

I can remeber a local school teacher who used to sing this at Portland Folk Club, (late 1970's) standing on a chair, doing actions (clean ones) when singing the chorus!