OK, Lew. Thanks.
Marge
-----Original Message-----
From: study of popular / folk / traditional ballads
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Lewis Becker
Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2003 4:25 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: The Fishball Song
Hi,
Google "one fishball" and it turns up interesting information.
Apparently Professor Child wrote a mock opera based on the song, rather
than writing the song. I will be able to do further checking later.
Lew Becker
>>> [log in to unmask] 12/9/2003 3:47:31 PM >>>
Recently I was at a family funeral and once most of the mourners had
departed, the daughters (respectable women in late middle age) sang the
following as a tribute to their father since it was a song with which he
had amused them - and infuriated their mother - during their childhood
and beyond.
It is clearly some kind of ballad, though whether Music Hall, Camp Fire
or Student Common Room, I couldn't say.
I would be very interested if any of the List know it, know of it, can
say where it originates and if they know any alternative words.
I can't begin to represent the tune, only say that each couplet is sung
twice. The first time the last syllable is drawn out on 3 notes (down up
down) and the second time it is sung on one final note.
It clearly predates the Credit Card! And might it be American since
Fish Fingers are more usual over here ? Yet half pence are British
pre-decimal coinage.
The Fish Ball Song
There was a man, walked up and down
To see what he could find in town.
He came unto a gorgeous place
And entered in with modest grace.
He drew his purse his pocket hence
And found he had but five half pence.
He scanned the menu through and through
To see what five half pence would do.
The only thing 'twould do at all
Was o( - o - o - o - )ne fish ball.
He called the waiter up the hall
And softly whispered "One fish ball."
The waiter bellowed down the hall:
"THIS GEN'LEMAM HERE WANTS ONE FISH BALL!"
The wretched man felt ill at ease
And softly whispered: "Bread, sir, [if you] please!"
The waiter bellowed down the hall:
"YOU GET NO BREAD WITH ONE FISH BALL!"
There is a moral to it all:
YOU GET NO BREAD WITH ONE FISH BALL.
Mary Seymour
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