My Son John

from Songs by Ed, Will and Ginger

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about

This is a classic anti-war song, recorded from a Mr. Parrot in Bedforshire. We found it very fitting during the ‘don’t-invade-Iraq’ protests of 2001, blasted down the streets of London and Bristol.

When busking, we look carefully first, to ensure no-one without legs is approaching. It is a serious song, but the vigour and energy of its 'riddle-o' chorus can give the impression that we take lightly the tragedy of lost limbs. We don’t.

War is foul disaster, and mutilation its fruit. But if you can’t sing a rousing song about it, what can you do?

lyrics

My son john was tall and slim,
And he had a leg for every limb,
But now he’s got no legs at all,
They were both shot away by the cannonball.

With me roo dum die,
Rabba diddle eye,
Whack for me riddle
With me roo dum die.

O were you drunk, or were you blind,
When you left your two fine legs behind?
Or was it sailing on the sea
Wore your two fine legs right down to your knee?

With me…

I was not drunk and I was not blind
When I left me two fine legs behind.
Nor was it sailing on the sea,
Wore me two fine legs right down to me knee,

With me…

For I was tall, I was slim,
I had a leg for every limb,
But now I’ve got no legs at all,
They were both shot away by the cannonball,

With me roo dumma die,
Rubba diddle eye,
Whack for me riddle with me roo dum die (x2)

credits

from Songs, released January 1, 2010

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A Walk Around Britain UK

Wayfaring songs from journeys on foot around Britain.

With Ed, Will & Ginger. And others.

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