comment by StJohn

a thoughtful web.

Good ideas and conversation. No ads, no tracking. Login or Take a Tour!

comment by StJohn

StJohn · 4175 days ago · link · · parent · post: So we did cover songs, how about great originals that were eclipsed by a cover version?

It took me ages to discover "I'm Henry the Eighth" by Harry Champion (1911) because it got eclipsed by the Herman's Hermits cover. The cover turns out to be just the chorus (twice, if you please!) The original has verses with many, many more jokes and a metric arse-load of Cockney slang.

Oh, when he measured me with half a yard of string, I dropped down on me marrowbones and sang God Save the King!

markup tips · 0

cgod · 4174 days ago · link ·

It's a hilarious song, thanks for pulling out a real gem. I'd say the chances of me hearing this was about zero without your post.

+discuss+discuss

–

StJohn · 4174 days ago · link ·

Glad you like it! I've become quite a fan of old comedy recordings, but the sense of humor is sometimes very different from what we're used to today. Even the Marx Brothers were totally unlike anything being made now.