Monday, September 27, 2004

The Tattooed Lady

Last night in bed I was trying to think of a song with Sydney's name in it. It took me a while, but I found one. It is a favorite of Mom's. Do any of you remember this song? I will write the words as I remember them. Do correct me if your memory is sharper than mine.

We came to town to see
That old tattooed lady.
She was a sight to see
tattooed from head to knee.

My Uncle Ned was there
He came to gasp and stare.
"I never," he declared,
"have seen a freak so fair."

For on her jaw
Was a royal flying ?craw?
And on her back
Was a union Jack..
Oh could you ask for more?

All up and down her spine
Marched the kings own guardian line.
And all around her hips
Sailed a fleet of battleship.

And on her left kidney
Was a birds-eye-view of Sydney!!!
But what we like best
Was upon her chest...
A little home in Waikiki.
He He

Isn't that a great song? John got a little singing toy for his birthday that plays a variety of songs. There is one song that I recognized, but it took me a few days to figure out how I knew it. It is the tune to the Tattooed Lady song. I wonder if it is really a song or if dad made up the words to a tune that he knew. I have been singing it around the house and suddenly I realized where that little home is located - wowza! Hope Emily doesn't suddenly start singing it at church.

7 comments:

wendy said...

Hey look, I can post a comment without registering! Yipee!

Anonymous said...

Hey I think it is letting me post comments now! Wahoo!

Wendy, you have an amazing memory. I think I was successful in banishing that song from memory...now I'll be singing it the rest of the day. That's hilarious!

Love ya! Mary

wendy said...

Mom, admit it, he wooed you with this song.

Anonymous said...

The tune is "My Home in Tennessee", but the words as printed don't fit it very well. The royal flying (?claw) must surely be the Royal Flying Corps.

wendy said...

Hey - that sounds good - Royal Flying Corp! thanks!

Anonymous said...

The Kingston Trio sang it in the early 60's. I remember the tune being Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay, which, for all I know, is also My Home in Tennessee.

http://users2.ev1.net/~smyth/linernotes/thesongs/TattooedLady.htm

Anonymous said...

Oh thank you, thank you! That song has been running in my head for days and I couldn't find anything but the Marx Brothers "Day at the Circus" lyrics to Lydia the Tattooed Lady. In this one, it's definitely the Royal Flying Corps. (There was a song by Teresa Brewer when I was a little girl which I thought said "Leave you pickle vats behind you, cross over the bridge" which was of course, "Leave you fickle past behind you..."