**
**
Home [1] | | What's New | Contact Us
I- If a query has come in to which there is no answer, as yet, that
songtitle will appear in boldface, and in red
I AM A LITTLE ORPHAN
I BET YOU CAN'T GUESS WHAT I HAVE IN MY POCKET
I CAN'T SING PURTY, BUT I SURE SING LOUD
I KNOW WHAT I'LL DO BYE AND BYE
I LIVE ON A STREET IN MY HOMETOWN
I WANNA BE A FRIEND OF YOURS
I'M A DEVIL, A DIRTY LITTLE DEVIL — looking for more verses
I'M GETTING DIZZY OVER IZZY
I'M GONNA TELL HER THAT I LOVE HER (request for three songs )
HERE WE ARE AGAIN
I MET HER AT THE BULLFIGHT
IN THE LITTLE PANTS MY MOTHER MADE FOR ME
IN THE LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE I WAS ALWAYS LATE (see Little Red Schoolhouse)
IN 1814 I TOOK A LITTLE TRIP
INVENTORS SONG (OH IT TOOK BELL TO MAKE THE TELEPHONE RING)
ITSY BITSY TEENIE WEENIE YELLOW POLKA-DOT BIKINI
I'VE GOT A FIVE POUND BOX OF CANDY, (AND IT CERTAINLY IS DANDY)
I'VE GOT A MULE TO RIDE
I AM A LITTLE ORPHAN —
From: Gwen S Dear Phyl and Walt, My Mother taught us girls a few songs from
when she was growing up in WV. One song was "I am a Little Orphan". My Mom
isn't sure of all of the words. I guess this song would go in your Yucky
Songs. She also taught us- Babes in the Woods and Short'nin' Bread. Here is
what we have:
I am a little orphan, my mommy is dead.
My daddy is a drunkard, won't buy me not bread.
No shoes nor no stockings to wear upon my feet.
No one to mend my dresses since mommy went to sleep.
I sit by my window and hear the robins sing.
It makes me think of mommy since daddy's gone away.
If I was a birdie I tell you what I'd do.
I'd fly away to the graveyard and sleep with mommy too.
Have you heard of this song? And if so, do I have all of it? I know it is
sad,but for some reason I still love to hear it. Thank you, Gwen
I BET YOU CAN'T GUESS WHAT I HAVE IN MY POCKET
From K. J: I'm looking for a song that I can only remember some of the
lyrics. I was hoping you could help me locate it. they go like this: "I bet
you can't guess what I got in my Pocket, Bet you can't guess what I got, It
got string........and then it goes on to list several things a boy might
carry in his pocket. Do you know that song and where I can get the music and
lyrics?
A . I don't know the song, and promised to post exchange on our next update
of the Song Swap page. But I went to
and lo and behold! here are
the lyrics:
Oh I bet you can't guess what I've got in my pocket.
I bet you can't guess what I've got.
Oh I bet you'll never guess, oh I know you'll never guess,
So I guess I'll have to tell you what I've got.
I've got keys and a ring for ev'rything,
My lucky rabbit's foot.
A bell and a whistle and a feather and a thistle
And a map of Connecticut.
I've got balls and jacks and a few thumbtacks,
A stick and a paper bag.
Some tapshoe taps and some bottle caps
And a paint encrusted rag.
Oh I bet you can't guess what I've got in my pocket.
I bet you can't guess what I've got.
Oh I bet you'll never guess, oh I know you'll never guess,
So I guess I'll have to tell you what I've got.
I've got string and a cord and a rope and a board
All tied up in a knot.
Some pieces of metal from a real old kettle
And a pit from an apricot.
Oh why do I carry all this stuff around with me?
It's just that I've become attached to it, you see.
And with all this stuff in my pocket,
There's no need for me to lock it with a key.
So I bet you can't guess what I've got in my pocket.
I bet you can't guess what I've got.
Oh I bet you'll never guess, oh I know you'll never guess,
So I guess I'll have to tell you what I've got.
I've got a bicycle chain and a model airplane
And a bone from an old spare rib.
An umbrella handle and a melted candle
And my baby brother's bib.
I've got piles of sand and a rubber band
And a ruler and a fountain pen.
A jar full of oil, some aluminum foil
Left over from who knows when.
Oh I bet you don't know what I'll do in a minute,
I bet you don't know what I'll do.
Gonna empty out my pockets when we finish up our talk
'Cause with all this stuff, it's really hard to walk.
I CAN'T SING PURTY, BUT I SURE SING LOUD
Q: Dear Folks, I am looking for a silly song I learned in grade school. All
I remember is the title and a few words: I CAN'T SING PURTY, BUT I SURE SING
LOUD, and something about "I open up my mouth, and I sound like a crowd." I
hope you can help. Thank you, Stormysrose
A.from Danni: I have the original sheet music from when I was in grade
school!! Here are the words:
I CAN'T SING PURTY BUT I SHORE SING LOUD by Ruth Artman
Ev'ry day I find me rehearsing, Trying my best to sing;
But in spite of my days rehearsing, I dont' seem to learn a thing!
To tell the truth, the awful truth, they tell me I sound a bit
un-cu-hu-hu-hu-hu-huth!
I'm not very big and I'm not very smart!
But when I start to singing it's straight from the heart!
I open up my mouth and I sound like a crowd!
I can't sing purty but I shore sing loud! Yah, yah yah yah yah yah yah
yah yah
yah yah!
Each time I sing up high, I crack the chan-de-lier! The dog rusn and
hides and
my brother shakes with fear!
When the neighbors moved away, I thought I heard them say,
One day I auditioned for a TV show, way up in New York City!
They forgot to plug in the microphone, but they heard me in Kansas City!
Someday if I practice hard and long, maybe I'll learn a soft little
song,
So please let me stay! Don't send me away!
I can't sing purty, but I shore sing loud!!!
"You can't sing purty but you sure sing loud!" yah yah yah yah yah yah
yah yah
yah yah yah!
I KNOW WHAT I'LL DO BYE AND BYE
From: Phyllis W
There was a song that my mom sang to us when we were little (in the
forties/fifties). It had a verse that went:
I know what I'll do bye and bye
I'll eat a worm and then I'll die
And when I'm gone ??????
They'll all be sorry that they picked on me
Ring any bells? Let me know please,
Thanks, Phyllis W.
From: Candis B. "I Know What I'll Do in the By and By&... Hi. I was
bored and decided to see if I could find any songs from your website. I
found two sites (via Lycos search). I hope these help.
http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=5052
About halfway down the page was this entry:
Subject: RE: eat some worms
Long before I heard the "Nobody loves me..." rhyme, we used to have a record
for our wind-up Victrola. One of the early old-timey groups- can't recall
which, sang:
O they're always, always a-pickin on me,
They never, never let me be;
I'm so lonely, awful sad-
Been a long time since I've been glad.
Well I'll tell yi what I'll do by and by,
I'll eat some worms and then I'll die-
N'when I'm gone I bet they'll be
Doggone sorry that they picked on me!
(Note-There was another verse or two, and a slightly different refrain):
Well I'll tell yi what I'll do, it ain't no joke,
I'll eat some worms and then I'll croak-
N'when I'm gone,yi know they'll be
Doggone sorry that they picked on me!
--------------------------------------
The second site I found was this one:
http://www.heptune.com/minnbett.html
Betty Boop in Minnie the Moocher
by Megaera and Brenna Lorenz
. Her voice is done by Mae Questal.
They always, always pick on me;
They never, never let me be;
I'm so very lonely, awfully sad;
It's a long time since you've been glad. [This line is sung by the imprint
of her lips on her hankerchief.]
But, I know what I'll do, bye 'n' bye,
I'll eat some worms and then I'll die,
When I'm gone, you wait and see,
They'll all be sorry that they picked on me!
I hope this helps.
I WANNA BE A FRIEND OF YOURS —
_Q._ From: Marty H I'm looking for lyrics and titles to some songs my Grampa
used to sing.
I wanna be a friend of yours, Umm and a little bit more...
I wanna be a clinging vine, growing round your door...
_A_ I Want To Be a Friend of Yours
(Author Unknown)
I want to be a friend of yours (mmmm) and a little bit more.
I want to be a pal of yours (mmmm) and a little bit more.
I want to be a little flower growing by your door.
I want to be your grandmother, grandfather, mother, father, sister, brother
(mmmm) and a little bit more.
I LIVE ON A STREET IN MY HOMETOWN
Q From Sandra O. Looking for a geography song from the 1970s as I teach
social studies. Any info. on the song would be appreciated. Words are:
I live on a street in my hometown,
far away from a far off land,
but the whole wide world is my hometown,
and I've got to help my neighbor out.
Cause I live on a street
in a town
in a county
in the state of the country
of the world you see.
What goes on in the world,
is really up to me.
_ _I'M A DEVIL, A DIRTY LITTLE DEVIL — any more verses out there?
Q From Barbara Z B: The song I really would like to know more about isn't
in any collection I can find. I don't know where Mom learned it; it dates
from her own childhood in the 1930s. I can sing it by heart, and the tune is
not any traditional one that *I* recognize:
I'm a devil
a dirty little devil
I leave a trail of blood where e're I goooooo
I delight
In starting up a fight
And hitting little babies on the head (until they're dead)!
I'm a devil
A dirty little devil
I put poison in my mother's cream of wheat
I eat
RAW MEAT!
(descending scream)
Ever heard THAT ONE?? I'm going to check out the sites you recommend, and
post to yours as well, if I may. And I'm gonna pick my mother's brains! (But
not poison her cream of wheat!)
I'M GETTING DIZZY OVER IZZY
Q: From M.N. Here are partial lyrics to a song my grandmother sings. Do you
know all the lyrics
I'm getting dizzy over Izzy all the time
Who's Izzy is he Is he yours or is he mine
He said he'd be true to me.
I should have gotten a guarantee.
A1. From Greg C. ---The song is "Who's Izzy is He" by Silver and Murry
Sturm. I have the sheet music if someone needs it. Sturm was my Great Uncle.
[Hi Greg, Thanks very much for your solution to the "Izzy" problem! I don't
want to post your email address, but if someone recontacts us for the rest
of the lyrics may I pass your address on to that person? And in reply from
Greg: Yes you can give my e-mail out. Actually I'm working on putting all of
my Great uncle's works in the public domain. It's tricky as he always had a
partner, but it's coming along. Greg]
A2. From Ed K. Whose Izzy Is He ( Is He Yours or Is He Mine ) By
Brown-Green-Sturm. Hi, Here is the second verse, taken from the original
1924 recording.
If you get him, then you give me the "Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha."
If I get him then I give you the "Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho!"
He who laughs, laughs half the best.
You laugh half, I'll laugh the rest.
You may laugh up your sleeve,
But I'll laugh up my vest.
(bridge)
Whose Izzy is he, is he yours or is he mine
I'm getting dizzy watching Izzy all the time.
He liked lemon with his tea,
I guess the lemon must be me.
Whose Izzy is he, is he yours or is he mine?
[Ed Note: Now there's the kind of help we all can use! Many thanks,
gentlemen [:>)!]
A3. this time a website! Try it and thanks to
From Lin: A couple of years ago you submitted a lyrics request on The Mudcat
Cafe for "Whose Izzy Is He (Is He Yours or Is He Mine?). At that time, no
one could find lyrics.
Well, the Mudcat never gives up! My SO was browsing a junk sale
yesterday and found, would you believe, a 78 of that song. He remembered us
looking for it and bought it so we could transcribe it. Sure hope the
gentleman who wanted it is still around to finally have his curiosity
answered!
[Ed Note: Hello Lin, This is kind of a "good news, bad news." I've been
working on the revision (the good news!), and tried out the url for Mudcat
that you gave (the bad):
http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=33639&messages=10>.
Unfortunately, it doesn't lead anywhere. Could you please check it again
and let me know, so that I can post it correctly? Thanks for your input!
Phyl]
from Lin: I clicked the URL in your message below and it took me direct
to your original thread on the Mudcat--??? The 'Cat has been down a lot
lately; maybe it was having problems when you tried the link? Can you try it
again and see if it works this time? . . .glad to help. It's really fun to
try to find the lyrics requested, and amazing what's available on the Web
and in the real world too!Hoping for better luck! Lin
Click here to [2]
I'M GONNA TELL HER THAT I LOVE HER, etc.
From Shawn What are these songs?
Could someone please tell me the names of these 3 songs from the 30s to the
50s. I know only one or two lines of each:
I'M GONNA TELL HER THAT I LOVE HER and I miss her
everyday...............Philadelphia, Philadelphia USA"
I MET HER AT THE BULLFIGHT, the Spanish bullfight..................."
HERE WE ARE AGAIN, happy as can be, all good pals and jolly good
company......................."
Thanks in anticipation,
Regards
Shawn
IN 1814 I TOOK A LITTLE TRIP
Q. From Carla: Good morning, Great site! I love reading the q&a! (Ed
Note: And we love to hear that from you!) I have a question and am hoping
that I am sending it to the right party... if not please send it on if you
will, and pardon the oops! I used to sing a song that started. . .
"In 1814 I took a little trip. . .da da da
d da dada... down the mighty Mississipp. . . "
Any help would be appreciated.
A. In 1814 I Took a Little Trip (Battle of New Orleans), words and music
by Jimmy Driftwood
In 1814 we took a little trip
along with Colonel Jackson down the mighty Mississip.
We took a little bacon and we took a little beans
And we caught the bloody British in the town of New Orleans.
CHORUS: We fired our guns and the British kept a'comin.
There wasn't nigh as many as there was a while ago.
We fired once more and they began to runnin' on
down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico.
We looked down the river and we seen the British come.
And there must have been a hundred of'em beatin' on the drum.
They stepped so high and they made the bugles ring.
We stood by our cotton bales and didn't say a thing. CHORUS:
Old Hickory said we could take 'em by surprise
If we didn't fire our muskets til we looked 'em in the eyes
We held our fire til we seen their faces well.
then we opened up with squirrel guns and really gave 'em..well. CHORUS:
Yeah, they ran through the briars and they ran through the brambles
And they ran through the bushes where a rabbit couldn't go.
They ran so fast that the hounds couldn't catch 'em
on down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico. CHORUS:
We fired our cannon til the barrel melted down.
So we grabbed an alligator and we fought another round.
We filled his head with cannon balls and powdered his behind
and when we touched the powder off, the gator lost his mind. CHORUS:
Yeah, they ran through the briars and they ran through the brambles
and they ran through the bushes where a rabbit couldn't go.
they ran so fast that the hounds couldn't catch 'em
on down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico. CHORUS:
IN THE LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE I WAS ALWAYS LATE (see LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE
on “L” page)
INVENTORS SONG (OH IT TOOK BELL TO MAKE THE TELEPHONE RING)
Q1. From Lee Ann H. I have a question to ask and I hope you can help me.
When I was in 6th grade, my elementary school put on a school play and one
of the songs was about inventors and their various inventions. I don't know
the title of the song or any of the verses, but I do remember the refrain.
If you could help me with the verses or if you know of a link on the 'Net
where I could find the rest of it, I would be most grateful. I would like to
teach my own children this song. Here's the refrain I remember:
Oh it took Bell to make the telephone ring,
and it took Edison to light up our way.
It took Robert Fulton in a steamboat,
to go chug-chug-chugging down the bay.
Otis made the elevator go up,
The Wrights learned the right way to fly.
So when you're spelling the word, America,
don't forget to dot the I....for the inventors.
Don't forget to dot the I!
Q2. another fragment --- From Dawn S. Lee Ann H. asked about a song from 6th
grade that I remember as the "Inventor's Song" and I too am trying to find
the whole song to pick up where my memory leaves off: I remember a little
more than she had:
Oh it took Bell to make the telephone ring
And it took Edison to light up our way.
Oh it took Robert Fulton in the steamboat to go chug chug
chugging down the bay.
Howe knew how to make the sewing machine,
The Wrights learned the right way to fly. . .
So when you're spelling the word AMERICA, don't forget to dot
the "I" for the inventors,
Don't forget to dot the "I".
George Pullman made the sleeping car for railroad trips at
night,
Lou Waterman made the fountain pen so everyone could write,
Richard Hoe made the rotary press so we could get the news,
Charles Goodyear made the rubber for the heels upon our shoes.
So when you talk about a new invention. . .
incidentally don't forget to mention. . .
that it took Morse to make the telegraph hum, and
it took Colt to make the Colt 45.
That's it for me....I do remember something about Otis but draw a blank from
there. Have you found the website? Did you graduate in 83 or there about?
Did you also learn Fifty Nifty United States? Great and educational songs to
pass on to our kids! Good luck and please inform on more!!!!!!
Q3 from Joni F. Do you know where I can find the music for The
Inventors Song (Don't forget to dot the I for the inventors)? I'd like to
teach it to my daughter but can't rememember the tune. Any help would be
appreciated. Thanks! Joni
And now, for the definitive (?) version!!!
A. From Jim H., elementary teacher: Lee Ann H was asking about the words to
an inventor song that she remembered from 6th grade. I, too learned it in
6th grade. Thirty-three years later, I still remember how it goes and have
sung it with my students. I do not know the author.
Oh it took Bell to make the telephone ring,
And it took Edison to light up our way.
It took Robert Fulton in a steamboat,
To go chug-chug-chugging down the bay.
Otis made the elevator go up,
McCormick's reaper reaped the rye.
So when you're spelling the word, America,
Don't forget to dot the I....for the inventors.
Don't forget to dot the I!
George Pullman made the sleeping car for railroad trips at night.
Lou Waterman made the fountain pen so everyone could write.
Richard Hoe made the rotary press, so we could get the news.
Charles Goodyear made the rubber for the heels upon our shoes.
So if you talk about a new invention.
Incidently don't forget to mention.
That it took Morse to make the telegraph hum.
Colt to make the Colt 45.
And it took Henry Ford to make an auto.
So that folks could go and take a drive.
Howe knew how to make a sewing machine.
The Wrights learned the right way to fly.
So when you're spelling the word, America,
Don't forget to dot the I....for the inventors.
Don't forget to dot the I!
ITSY BITSY TEENIE WEENIE YELLOW POLKA-DOT BIKINI
Q. a request for a song about a yellow bikini
A. Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka-Dot Bikini, written by by Paul
Vance and Lee Pockriss
[NB. Peaked at # 1 in 1960. Co-songwriter Paul Vance was inspired to
write this song after seeing his 2-year old daughter Paula play at the beach
in her bathing suit. Later featured in the 1962 comedy film One, Two, Three,
starring Jimmy Cagney & Arlene Francis, with the Russians using the song to
try to torture a suspected spy.]
She was afraid to come out of the locker
She was as nervous as she could be
She was afraid to come out of the locker
She was afraid that somebody would see
(Two, three, four, tell the people what she wore)
CHORUS: It was an itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka-dot bikini
That she wore for the first time today
An itsy teenie weenie yellow polka-dot bikini
So in the locker she wanted to stay
(Two, three, four, stick around we'll tell ya more)
She was afraid to come out in the open
And so a blanket around her she wore
She was afraid to come out in the open
And so she sat bundled up on the shore
(Two, three, four, tell the people what she wore)
CHORUS: It was an itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka-dot bikini
That she wore for the first time today
An itsy teenie weenie yellow polka-dot bikini
So in the blanket she wanted to stay
(Two, three, four, stick around we'll tell ya more)
Now she's afraid to come of the water
And I wonder what she's gonna do
Now she's afraid to come out of the water
And the poor little girl's turnin' blue
(Two, three, four, tell the people what she wore)
CHORUS: It was an itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka-dot bikini
That she wore for the first time today
An itsy teenie weenie yellow polka-dot bikini
So in the water she wanted to stay
(From the locker to the blanket)
(From the blanket to the shore)
(From the shore to the water)
Guess there isn't any more
I'VE GOT A FIVE POUND BOX OF CANDY, (AND IT CERTAINLY IS DANDY)
I'VE GOT A MULE TO RIDE
from: Sue M: Just found your fantastic site. Would you happen to have the
lyrics to "I've
Got A Mule To Ride"?
Thanks,
Sue
Last revised: 28 October 2016. Conditions of Use.
Copyright © 2001-2016 by The Jack Horntip Collection.
1: http://www.horntip.com
2: http://mudcat.org