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T - If a query has come in to which there is no answer, as yet, that
songtitle will appear in _boldface, _and in red.
TELL ME WHY THE STARS DO SHINE
TELL ME WHY MY DADDY WON'T COME HOME (on the floor a little boy sits. . .)
THE THING
THIS LITTLE PINK PILL (see “N” page for the request note)
THREE CRAW
THREE LITTLE FISHES
TICKY-TACKY SONG (please see LITTLE BOXES)
TIE ME KANGAROO DOWN, SPORT
TWO LITTLE GIRLS (PLAYMATES)
TWO LITTLE CHILDREN
TWO LITTLE GIRLS USED TO DRESS JUST ALIKE -looking for the 2nd verse (_not_
“Playmates”)
TYING APPLES ON A LILAC TREE
TELL ME WHY THE STARS DO SHINE
_Q._ From Marty H. Looking for Tell Me Why The Stars Do Shine
A.Here you are:
Tell me why the stars do shine
Tell me why the ivy twines
Tell me why the sky’s so blue
And then I’ll tell you just why I love you
Because God made the stars to shine
Because God made the ivy twine
Because God made the sky’s so blue
Because God made you, that’s why I love you
Tell me why the stars do shine
Tell me why the ivy twines
Because God made the sky’s so blue
Because God made you, that’s why I love you
TELL ME WHY MY DADDY WON'T COME HOME
A little tot sat playing one night upon the floor
Her mother sat and idly watched her little girl of four
When all at once she dropped her toys and tears began to shed
She climbed upon her mother's knee and this is what she said:
Chorus: Tell me why my daddy don't come home
I know that I am much too big to cry
Why don't he come and play with me again
Mamma why did Daddy say good-bye
Her mother's heart was troubled her thoughts were of other days
How could she tell her darling child of love she'd cast away
A hunger stole into her heart of hopeless thoughts but sweet
It almost broke her heart to hear the little one repeat: Chorus:
T'was just one week later a letter came to her
The letter's edge was trimmed in black her cold hands shook with fear
"Your husband's eyes are closed in death his earthly cares are done
Your little daughter's daddy can never more come home." Chorus:
THE THING
#1 From: Candis B_: _Hi. I have not had any luck finding this song (I dug,
and dug, and dug at
Google, no luck). I really don't recall the lyrics but I do remember the
"story" of it. A man finds a box on the beach and he opens it. The box
follows him around and he cannot get rid of it. Every time he tries to
mention what is in the box there would be a strong drum beat (instead of
words)--thump, tha, thump....
It ends with the man telling us that if we ever find a box on the beach not
to open the--thump, tha, thump... I hope you can help. I had heard it on a
Golden Oldies radio station that is no
longer playing that format.
Sincerely,
Candis B
[Ed. Note: My husband suggested that it was a song called “The Thing,” and I
replied with this to Candis.] She replied:
From Candis: Hi. I found that song I was looking for. I did a search on
Metacrawler and I found it. Your husband is correct, it is called "The
Thing." That is how I found it. Thank you.
And here are the lyrics
The Thing by Phil Harris
[Words and Music by Charles R Grean]
While I was walkin' down the beach
One bright and sunny day
I saw a great big wooden box
A-floatin' in the bay
I pulled it in and opened it up
And much to my surprise
Oh, I discovered a...
Right before my eyes
Oh, I discovered a...
Right before my eyes
I picked it up and ran to town
As happy as a king
I took it to a guy I knew
Who'd buy most anything
But this is what he hollered at me
As I walked in his shop
"Oh, get out of here with that...
Before I call a cop"
"Oh, get out of here with that...
Before I call a cop"
I turned around and got right out
A-runnin' for my life
And then I took it home with me
To give it to my wife
But this is what she hollered at me
As I walked in the door
"Oh, get out of here with that...
And don't come back no more"
"Oh, get out of here with that...
And don't come back no more"
--- Instrumental Interlude ----
I wandered all around the town
Until I chanced to meet
A hobo who was lookin' for
A handout on the street
He said he'd take most any old thing
He was a desperate man
But when I showed him the...
He turned around and ran
Oh, when I showed him the...
He turned around and ran
I wandered on for many years
A victim of my fate
Until one day I came upon
St Peter at the gate
And when I tried to take it inside
He told me where to go
Get out of here with that...
And take it down below
Oh, get out of here with that...
And take it down below
The moral of this story is
If you're out on the beach
And you should see a great big box
And it's within your reach
Don't ever stop and open it up
That's my advice to you
'Cause you'll never get rid of the...
No matter what you do
Oh, you'll never get rid of the...
No matter what you do
THIS LITTLE PINK PILL (see Now Take This, My Dolly on “N” page for the
request note)
THREE CRAW variant
From: Shoana - Hello, just thought I would send you the alternative lyrics.
I have never heard the ones you have on your site but I do come from
Scotland and these are the words we sing. (at least in this area). I had to
be the craw that "couldna' flee at a'" for a school concert once! I hope
these are of some use to you anyway, I felt obliged to send them :)
Ed. Note: Thanks very much for V 2, 3, & 4 ---all new ones for me!
V1:
Three craws sat upon a wa',
Sat upon a wa',
Sat upon a wa',
Three craws sat upon a wa', On a cold and frosty mornin'.
V2:
The first Craw fell an' broke his jaw,
fell an' broke his jaw,
fell an' broke his jaw,
The first Craw fell an' broke his jaw, On a cold and frosty mornin'.
V3:
The second craw couldna' flee at a' ,
couldna' flee at a' ,
couldna' flee at a' ,
The second craw couldna' flee at a', On a cold and frosty mornin'.
V4:
The third Craw was greetin' for his maw'
greetin' for his maw'
greetin' for his maw'
greetin' for his maw' On a cold and frosty mornin'.
V5:
The fourth Craw wisna' there at a',
wisna' there at a',
wisna' there at a',
The fourth Craw wisna' there at a', On a cold and frosty mornin'.
And another THREE CRAW variant from Alan T. who writes “I was brought up
with this nursery rhyme, but the words I know differ. Hope this is of
interest”
Three craws sat up on a wa' etc etc
The first craw was greeting (crying) for his maw etc etc
The second craw couldny flee (fly) at aw (all) etc etc
The Third craw fell and hurt is jaw etc etc
[Ed Note “And that’s a’ we know about the craw. . .” At least, so fa’ . . .]
THREE LITTLE FISHES
Q: From B: I'd be most appreciative if you can tell me the name and
lyrics of this "silly song" I have been searching for the lyrics to this
song, and can't find the "silly" version. The refrain is something along the
lines of , "Bip, bip, bittom bottom wattum, kachoo!" Does this sound even
REMOTELY familiar to someone there ANY help would be GREATLY appreciated, as
our 9-month old granddaughter is CRAZY about this silly version.
A. Here's Three Little Fishes, Words and music by Saxie Dowell
Down in the meadow in a little bitty pool
Swam three little fishies and a mama fishie too
"Swim" said the mama fishie, "Swim if you can"
And they swam and they swam all over the dam
CHORUS: Boop boop dit-tem dat-tem what-tem Chu!
Boop boop dit-tem dat-tem what-tem Chu!
Boop boop dit-tem dat-tem what-tem Chu!
And they swam and they swam all over the dam
"Stop" said the mama fishie, "or you will get lost"
The three little fishies didn't wanna be bossed
The three little fishies went off on a spree
And they swam and they swam right out to the sea CHORUS:
And they swam and they swam right out to the sea
"Whee!" yelled the little fishies, "Here's a lot of fun
We'll swim in the sea till the day is done"
They swam and they swam, and it was a lark
Till all of a sudden they saw a shark! CHORUS:
Till all of a sudden they saw a shark!
"Help!" cried the little fishies, "Gee! look at all the whales!"
And quick as they could, they turned on their tails
And back to the pool in the meadow they swam
And they swam and they swam back over the dam CHORUS:
And they swam and they swam back over the dam
TICKY-TACKY SONG (please see LITTLE BOXES on “L” page)
TIE ME KANGAROO DOWN, SPORT
Q. From JR B.: Dear Folk(ie)s, I am looking for the lyrics (and chords,
too, if available) for a song I remember from childhood. The line I remember
is "Tie me kangaroo down, sport." Does it ring a bell I was hoping to play
and sing it for my son's second grade class next week, so if you have any
idea where I might find it, I'd be most grateful.
A. Here are the lyrics, but to get some idea of the tune go to
Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport by Rolf Harris
SPOKEN: There's an old Australian stockman lying, dying. He gets himself up
onto one elbow and 'e turns to his mates, who are all gathered around and 'e
says:
Watch me wallabies feed, mate
Watch me wallabies feed,
They're a dangerous breed, mate
So watch me wallabies feed
Altogether now!
CHORUS: Tie me kangaroo down, sport
Tie me kangaroo down
Tie me kangaroo down, sport
Tie me kangaroo down
Keep me cockatoo cool, Curl,
Keep me cockatoo cool
Ah, don't go acting the fool, Curl
Just keep me cockatoo cool
Altogether now! CHORUS:
'n' take me koala back, Jack
Take me koala back
He lives somewhere out on the track, Mac
So take me koala back
Altogether now! CHORUS:
Let me abos go loose, Lew
Let me abos go loose
They're of no further use, Lew
So let me abos go loose
Altogether now! CHORUS:
And mind me platypus duck, Bill
Mind me platypus duck
Ah, don't let 'im go running amok, Bill
Just mind me platypus duck
Altogether now! CHORUS:
Play your didgeridoo, Blue
Play your didgeridoo
Ah, like, keep playin' 'til I hoot thru, Blue
Play your didgeridoo
Altogether now! CHORUS:
Tan me hide when I'm dead, Fred
Tan me hide when I'm dead
So we tanned his hide when he died, Clyde
And that's it hangin' on the shed!!
Altogether now! CHORUS:
TWO LITTLE CHILDREN
Q. From Pamela Belle G. I'm so glad I found your website. I'm looking
for the words to a song, my Mother use to sing to use as a child. Some of
the words are: "Two little children Where is my Mama, where can she be, I'm
so awfully lonely, as lonely as can be. Papa is broken hearted, Mama lift us
alone, so if you see our Mama, please tell her to come home."
Of course we cried every time Mother sang it. Does anyone know the rest
of the words and the title. And there was another one about a Papa going off
to sea ( see page “P” but still unsolved)
A1 TWO LITTLE CHILDREN (From Southwest Missouri State University link
(see above). Spaces indicate where words were lost in the field recording.
VERSE 1 Two little children, a girl an' a boy
Stood by an old church door
The little girls' feet were as brown as the curl
That fell on the dress that she wore
VERSE 2 The little boy's coat was all tattered an' torn
A tear showed in each little eye
Why don't you go home to your Mother, I said
An' this was the Mother's reply
VERSE 3 Mammy's in Heaven --- --- ---
Left me an' Jim all alone
We came here to sleep at the close of the day
For we have no Mother or home
VERSE 4 The Sexton came early to ring the church bells
--- --- --- ---- --- ----
The angels in Heaven they --- for the children
To be with their Mother, at home
A2. From Kathy D. My mother used to sing this song to us when I was
young also
[Thanks to Kathy D. for a more complete version to this sad little tale,
below]
TWO LITTLE CHILDREN
V1. Two little children a boy and a girl sat by an old church door
The little girl's feet were as brown as the curls that fell upon the dress
she wore.
The little boy's coat was all ragged and torn and the tears shone in his
blue eyes
"Why don't you go home to your mama' I asked
And this was the maiden's reply
Chorus: Mama's in heaven.
They took her away.
She went to the land fair and bright.
She told us she'd call for her darlings some day,
Perhaps she'll call them tonight.
V2.Papa got drownded on the sea long ago,
We waited all night on the shore.
He was a life saving captain you know,
But he never came back any more. Chorus: Mama's in Heaven. . .
V3. The sexton came early to ring the church bell
He found them beneath the snow white
The angels made room for two orphans
And they went up to heaven that night Chorus:
V4. Mama's in heaven they took her away
She went to the land fair and bright
She told them she'd call for her darlings some day
She called her darlings that night.
VARIANTS: 0399 Two Little Orphants, 0557 Two Little Orphants
OTHER COLLECTIONS: Brown: II-150 Two Little Children
From Lu K. Lyrics to "Two little children" Several million thank you's
-- I have been looking for these for a very long time, when I was very
little, my great-grandmother sang this to me; I could never learn the words
because I always cried -- and then she would cry with me. Now I can share
this with my children and my grandbaby! You have made this possible!
TWO LITTLE GIRLS USED TO DRESS JUST ALIKE
Q. From JM . . .Another one on a similar subj. once there were two
little girls. used to dress just alike, hair down in curls. . .
A. From: Eileen H. This song I learned for a play in grade school
(I was born in 1944)
TWO LITTLE GIRLS (PLAYMATES)
Once there lived side by side
Two little girls
Used to dress just alike
Hair down in curls
Blue gingham pinafores
Stockings of red
Little Sunbonnets tied
On each pretty head
One day a quarrel came
Hot tears were shed
"I don't want to play in your yard"
And the other said:
Girl 1: I don't want to play in your yard
Girl 2: I don't like you any more
Girl 1: You'll be sorry when you see me
Sliding down my cellar door.
Girl 2: You can't holler down my rain barrel
Girl 1: You can't climb my apple tree
Together: I don't want to play in your yard
If you won't be good to me.
#1 - From Martha F. Hello - I decided to Goggle an old song my grandmother
used to sing, the second verse of which I cannot recall. I was so excited to
have it pop right up, but when I clicked on your site and went to my song,
it gave only the first verse (and not quite correctly). Is there any way to
find the second verse? The song is "Once there lived side by side two little
girls/Used to dress just alike, hair down in curls" etc.
Martha
#2 - From Martha F. Thanks for reply. It's a cool page. But it sounds like
you haven't come upon my second verse. Maybe someday.... Here's what I
remember:
Once there lived side by side
Two little girls,
Used to dress just alike,
Hair down in curls,
Blue gingham pinafores,
Stockings of red,
Little sunbonnets tied
On each pretty head.
When school was over,
Secrets they'd tell,
Whispering um-anum
Down by the well.
One day a quarrel came,
Hot tears were shed,
"You can't play in my yard!"
And the other said,
"I don't want to play in your yard,
I don't like you anymore.
You'll be sorry when you see me
Sliding down our cellar door.
You can't hollar down our rain barrel,
You can't climb our apple tree,
I don't want to play in your yard
If you won't be good to me."
Next day....
And that's where my memory has always blocked, I just can't remember any
more of
it. My grandmother sang it, and she died when I was in the 5th or 6th grade,
and, as I'll be 70 next month, that's a long time ago!
Martha F.
Ed Note: I think there are 2 songs combined here. One is Two Little Girls,
and then it segues into
Playmates (see several variants on the “P” page)
From Martha:
Thanks for trying, but that's not it. Some phrases are the same, but all of
those are dolly-with-the-flu based. None of the words/phrases ring a bell on
the 2d verse I'm
missing in my memory. I'll know it when I see it.
The site is fun. I noticed one message looking for words to old songs for a
mother who's
71...right up my alley! I know most things can be found by just Googling a
phrase, but
should a blank wall be met (as with mine), aside from my memory which
retains soooo many
words to soooo many songs, I still have The Golden Song Book from 2nd
grade...that might
help out!
By the way, did you know that there is a British magazine titled This
England which has a
reader's questions and comments section which is the same idea? People write
in asking
for other readers to help remember an old song (or they used to; don't know
how Google
has affected it as I no longer subscribe).
Martha F
[Ed Note: can anyone out there come up with the second verse, as Martha
remembers the song?]
From Michelle: THANKYOU, THANKYOU, THANKYOU!
When I was a little girl,(now 41), my mother used to sing a song to me that
her mother
sang her, & her mother sang her... I was the fourth generation & I thought I
was to be
the last. Neither my mum or ailing nana could tell me the name of the song
or remember
all the words. My daughter is now 18 & I believed I would not be able to
pass it on. I
have searched so many times until I finally lucked out on your site. "Two
Little Girls"
will now be added to our family journals so that it may continue to pass
from generation
to generation. I just hope my memory of the tune & my incredibly bad voice
won't make
the writer turn in thier grave. :-)
This weekend I will visit my nana, & sing her this song. I have been told
that people
with end stage alzheimers have more recognition of childhood events than
present ones. I
hope so, as this will be my last gift to her.
My eternal gratitude,
Michelle
(Brisbane, Australia)
TYING APPLES ON A LILAC TREE
From Kathy W. --- another possible related song, version 1
A little boy and a little girl
In an ecstasy of bliss
Said the little boy to the little girl
"Pray give me just one kiss."
The girl drew back in great surprise
"You're a stranger, sir" said she
"And I will give you just one kiss
"When the apples grow on a lilac tree."
The boy was very sad at heart
She was the only one
The girl was quite remorseful
At the terrible thing she had done
So bright and early on the very next morn
He was quite surprised to see
His little sweetheart standing in the garden
Tying apples on the lilac tree.
A from: Anne E, version 2
There was a request for the words to the song about tying apples on a lilac
tree. I can give the words as I heard them sung, but I do not know the
author or composer.
A little boy and a little girl, in an ecstasy of bliss;
Said the little boy to the little girl, "Pray, give me just one kiss."
The girl drew back in great surprise; "You're a stranger, sir," said she,
"And I will give you just one kiss when apples grow on a lilac tree."
The boy felt very sad at heart; she was the only one.
And the girl felt quite remorseful at the terrible wrong she'd done.
So bright and early on the very next morn, he was quite surprised to see
His little sweetheart standing in the garden,
Tying apples on a lilac tree.
Last revised: 28 October 2016. Conditions of Use.
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