We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

The Old Man from Over the Sea

from Truth is a Fixed Star by The Woodlarks

supported by
Alex
Alex thumbnail
/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      £1 GBP  or more

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

about

We got this song from a wonderful old vinyl LP called The Bird in the Bush, a collection of erotic English folk songs by A.L. Lloyd. We really liked Frankie Armstrong's unaccompanied version so kept it quite true to that, but for two voices.

lyrics

There was an old man come over the sea,
Aye, but I'll not have him.
There was an old man come over the sea,
Come snivelling, snuffling, over on me,
With his long grey beard, with his long grey beard,
A‐shivering and shaking

My mother she told me to bid him come in,
And he giggled and dribbled all over his chin.

My mother she told me to give him a stool,
Well I gave him a stool and he sat like a fool.

My mother she told me to give him some cake,
And the silly old fool wriggled just like a snake.

My mother she told me to pass him the sugar,
And he shivvelled and shovelled it down like a bugger.

My mother she told me to take him to bed,
And the daft old devil nigh stood on his head.

My mother told me to show him what to do,
But the silly old cod couldn’t learn how to screw.

My mother she told me to bid him farewell,
Well I bid him farewell and I wished him in hell.

credits

from Truth is a Fixed Star, released January 1, 2008
Tanya Jackson (vocals); Brona McVittie (vocals)

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Bróna McVittie image

Bróna McVittie Northern Ireland, UK

Pioneering her own brand of cosmic folk, Bróna McVittie both deftly reimagines traditional folk and crafts her own nature- inspired songs with a rich mix of folk and electronic instruments. As The Guardian describes it “You’re put in the place of a bird navigating wide open landscapes, absorbing light, space and air. This is music that takes you on its wing, and gives you fresh visions” ... more

contact / help

Contact Bróna McVittie

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this track or account

Bróna McVittie recommends:

If you like Bróna McVittie, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Seafood Sam joins the show to discuss his newest album, " Standing On Giant Shoulders".
listen now