Obsessive-Compulsive Redux

I don't know if anyone now remembers my long rant a while back about how "Charlie on the MTA," popularized by the Kingston Trio in the 60s, was originally a political song and the tune was based on an older train song, "The Wreck of the Old 97"?  (here, have a look back at that insanity )

Well!  I just found out - from the back of a Flatt and Scruggs record that Eor recently acquired - that the tune to "Wreck of the Old 87" was based on the tune of an EVEN OLDER song called "The Ship that Never Returned."  The rhyme which the Dropkick Murphy's kicked all out of recognition of 'returned/unlearned' is not used in Flatt and Scruggs version of "Wreck of the Old 97" but IS in "The Ship that Never Returned."  In fact, although Jimmy Driftwood's version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwZi-6iOW54 is nice and clear and good to listen to, I also need to direct you to The Rogues version - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbvNnopPexA - because it's so totally obvious these guys grew up hearing "Charlie on the MTA" and they sing this song exactly the same way.  And the audience tries to, also, saying 'he' instead of 'she' for the ship. :)  Rather disconcertingly, the song is actually quite tragic, and they sing it upbeat just like it was "Charlie."  (Instead of the 'poor old Charlie' they get the audience to yell "No Ship!") 

Maybe someone needs to do a spoof. :)

And incidentally, "Four Little Girls in the Town of Boston" by Jimmy Driftwood is also fun. :)

My obsessions run long and deep

I just made an update to The Great Tablespoon Debate of 2006.

sorry about all the retro posts

Finished "Brisingr" (C. Paolini) this day, being #11 in my books for the year.