Song Words
It’s been ages since i’ve posted, so sorry to anyone who looks in and has been faced with the same thing again and again.
I have been looking for the words to two children’s songs…
1-I’m only a poor little sparrow
2-Dave the duck billed platypus
The first one I believe I suddenly remembered listening to in my childhood, but could only recall about one verse. I have managed to find out some information on who sang it etc, but not the actual lyrics, most frustrating!!!!
The second I liked to listen to on a children’s tape when I worked as a nursery officer. We have recently acquired a puppet platypus and so naturally there is a need for a reminder on the words. Unfortunately I can not remember the title of the tape it was on, so I can’t get any information on it that way. I have not long started looking for this one, so maybe something will turn up.
Can anybody help?
March 9th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
I would also like a copy of the words to “I’m only a poor little sparrow.” Cannot recall the name of the children’s school that recorded it, but it would have to be from 1980 to 1983 or so. If I find it before you I will send them. Also would like a recording to download if possible.
Am now living in Florida.
Dona Browne
donacastle@aol.com
March 19th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
Have you got words/tune for I’m only a poor little sparrow? My husband has been asked to provide a backing track for this song, but we’re having no luck in tracing either……thanks.
March 24th, 2007 at 7:57 pm
I came across your post when looking for the words to ‘poor little sparrow’ myself because my wife sings it… I’m just not all that confident they’re the right words. In case you’re interested, and because at least some of the words are probably right, here’s what she sings:
—
I’m only a poor little sparrow (aaah)
With feathers all stubby and brown
I can’t even sing
When I’m nesting in spring
The turnips don’t grow very high
I once had a boyfriend called Bertie (oooh)
He said I was pretty ’s can be
He built me a nest
Gave me all of the best
And then he fell out of the tree
—
As you can tell, I am slightly doubtful that, for example, the ‘turnips’ part is correct, but hopefully this helps.
April 16th, 2007 at 9:35 am
E-mail me your details as I have the track “The Sparrow” and can send it to you for you to listen and write down the lyrics.
It was in the charts in 1979.
Steve.
May 15th, 2007 at 9:35 pm
Hello Dona
Thanks for comment on little sparrow. Sorry it’s taken so long to respond.
The school choir appears to have been Abbey Hey Junior School, singing a song by The Ramblers.
Someone sent me these words, which is more or less how I remember it, however I don’t know if there are any more to it.
I’m only a poor little sparrow (aaah)
With feathers all stubby and brown
I can’t even sing
When I’m nesting in spring
The turnips don’t grow very high
I once had a boyfriend called Bertie (oooh)
He said I was pretty ’s can be
He built me a nest
Gave me all of the best
And then he fell out of the tree
Julie thinks…’he tripped up and fell out the tree’.
Hope this helps.
June 25th, 2007 at 9:21 am
I remember one verse:
Most sparrows I know are quite cheerful
In fact they’re incredibly brave
With me that’s not true, all I ever do
Is worry myself to the grave
December 18th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Where can i find the song “Dave The Duck Billed Platypus”
December 18th, 2007 at 9:10 pm
Hello Andy
Unfortunately I have no idea, all I know is it used to be on a tape at a nursery where I worked. I too would love to find a copy, either of the song itself or just the words.
If you have any luck, please let me know
December 19th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
The song goes:
Dave the duck-billed platypus, hes not like the rest of us,
He doesnt know whether to sink or swim since someone put a bill on him.
When all the ducks go quack, quack ,quack,
Dave just turns his back, back, back,
And swims to shore as fast as he can,
Thats Dave the duck-billed platypus!
My sad mother remembered all the words!
February 6th, 2008 at 12:48 am
hi everyone, i have the sparrow song on one of my dads old 45’s ill check out the lyric for you all
February 12th, 2008 at 12:42 am
That’s great, rockydale, thanks. If there’s any way you could get them onto an mp3, even if it’s using a mic, that would be really great. It’s not to be found online.
Cheers.
April 11th, 2008 at 11:44 am
A video clip of “The Sparrow”, taken from one of The Ramblers’ appearances on Top of the Pops, was accessible for a time on YouTube, but seems to have been taken down now – no idea why. Perhaps there were copyright issues. Among the several comments the item attracted was one suggesting there’d been some financial hanky-panky over the proceeds. And there was another from the former lead singer (now in her 40s) about how embarrassing the whole thing was!
Anyway … here’s the main lyrics in full (but I can’t remember all the chorused “comments”, so I’ve only put those I’m certain of):
I’m only a poor little sparrow
No colourful feathers have I
I can’t even sing
When I’m nesting in spring
And the turnips don’t grow very high.
Most sparrows I know are quite cheeky
In fact they’re incredibly brave.
With me that’s not true
In fact all I do
Is to worry myself to the grave.
Whenever I try to be helpful
I end up by getting it wrong (that’s right!)
Why only last week
I (inaudible) my beak
And now it’s as broad as it’s long (it’s a shame!)
I once had a boyfriend called Bertie (WHOOOOH!)
He said I was as pretty ’s could be.
He built me a nest
Gave me all of his best
Then he tripped up and fell off the tree.
I’m only a poor little sparrow
No colourful feathers have I
I can’t even sing
When I’m nesting in spring
And the turnips don’t grow very high.
[Last verse sung by the whole chorus, with "comments" from the lead singer, solo]
She’s only a poor little sparrow (that’s right)
No colourful feathers has she (all brown!)
She can’t even sing (tweet! tweet!) [pause]
When she’s nesting in spring [pause]
She’s only a poor little bird (that’s right!)
ENDS
April 21st, 2008 at 8:11 pm
I would love to listen to the B side of ‘The sparrow’ I used to listen to it when I was young, it’s called ‘Lollypops and skipping ropes’ and it goes
Lollypops and skipping ropes
Children roll down grassy slopes
sounds of laughter in the air
children rushing to the fair
candy floss was on my face when I was young
… but as the years go rushing by I think of the times I was young …
Ive searched youtube but nothing
Thanks
July 12th, 2008 at 12:31 am
to angela, if you have a record player ive found a site that it selling the record your on about sparrow/lollipops skipping ropes, its less than a fiver:
http://www.musicstack.com/item/6023191/ramblers/the+sparrow
hope this helps
craig
July 21st, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Thanks Craig.
September 30th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Seems the question’s been answered on the whole about these lyrics.
I have the sheet music at home, and also the 7″ and album.
I also sang on it.
Financial hanky panky about the proceeds?
Damn right! How many primary school teachers in the 1970’s could afford to moor a boat in Mallorca? Hmmmm….well ours could, funnily enough. Don’t ever remember him winning the pools!
Anyhoo, it was definitely by The Ramblers, we all went to Abbey Hey Junior School in Manchester and it charted in October 1979.
Also I can gladly fill in this blank:
I (inaudible) my beak
“Only one day last week, I trapped someone’s beak, and now it’s as broad as it’s long”.
October 25th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
I was also a Rambler. We all had the most amazing experience going on TV shows, TOTP and others.
The teacher concerned was one of those who actually made a difference and wanted to give the kids more than lessons, an opportunity to find out if you were actually good at something else.
I, and many others, learnt to play the guitar, courtesy of this teacher, all free of charge and countless hours of free time given up. As for his boat, good for him, he wrote the song, so he was entitled to royalites, the school also got a minibus from the proceeds. I wish there were more teachers like him today, prepared to go the extra mile.
November 12th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Hi, I so desperatly would love to hear these songs again. My parents had them on a 7”, but with moving house etc, they are no more. Anyone who has it, is there any chance of you posting it on youtube??? I have sent of to various clubs, requesting a copy, but with no success. Please help bring back part of my childhood. I very often sing both songs to my children and long to hear them again.
December 23rd, 2008 at 12:10 am
I’m so grateful to so many people for supplying the lyrics, but does anyone have a copy of the sheet music ? Can you copy it or e-mail it to us in time for a Christmas party piece.
Many thanks.
May 21st, 2009 at 2:56 am
I am so happy I found this page! I’ve been searching like crazy for “I’m only a poor little sparrow”. My cousins and I all had 45’s of it. I sing it to my son all the time, but I had forgotten every second word & most of the verses. Thank you so much.
I remember the artists being “the londoners”
September 17th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
hiya all i have found the song to download its the right song too
here is the link http://www.megaupload.com/?d=QTC5R2MU
enjoy this 1 its took me 31 years to find it
January 29th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Andy, your “sad” mother only told you the words of the chorus. Serves you right for dissing her excellent memory!
Words to the whole song as below. Also, the song is on the CD “Wild World of Animal Songs” ISBN 1903636310, from http://www.fastforwardmusic.co.uk
Dave the duck billed platypus
He’s not like the rest of us
He doesn’t know whether to sink or swim
Since someone stuck a bill on him
When all the ducks go “quack, quack, quack”
Dave just turns his back, back, back
And swims to shore as fast as he can
That’s Dave the duck billed platypus.
Whilst he was walking out one day,
Dave by chance heard someone say
“Well, I’ve not seen that in many a long year,
A duck with a nice fur coat on”.
“That must be Dave” his friend replied,
“We know he’s strange but we don’t criticize
Because he’s really a beaver in disguise
And we think that his beak’s just stuck on”.
“Just stuck on?” Dave did reply
“Well, come and give a pull then!”
But both declined because they thought
Dave had heard the names they called him.
Dave the duck billed platypus
He’s not like the rest of us
He doesn’t know whether to sink or swim
Since someone stuck a bill on him
When all the ducks go “quack, quack, quack”
Dave just turns his back, back, back
And swims to shore as fast as he can
That’s Dave the duck billed platypus.
Fast asleep in the middle of the night,
Dave awoke to a dreadful fright,
It was just a dream but it seemed so real,
He’d lost his beak completely.
Then all at once Dave knew for sure
Just what his strange bill was for
It made him what he was and more,
Duck billed Dave, uniquely.
“What a fool I’ve been” thought Dave
“My bill is my best feature”
And since that day he’ll always say
“A proud platypus is a handsome creature”.
Dave the duck billed platypus
He’s not like the rest of us
He doesn’t know whether to sink or swim
Since someone stuck a bill on him
When all the ducks go “quack, quack, quack”
Dave just turns his back, back, back
And swims to shore as fast as he can
That’s Dave the duck billed platypus.