To find it extraordinary that my husband claims never to have hear this song in his life?

[allhailtheaubergine]

[RufusTFirefly]

The Marrow Song sung by KW is on YouTube!

Link here

Hope the link works - it's my first one.

[heleninahandcart]

Grew up with this. And the Bow Wow song. BOW WOW FFS

[RufusTFirefly]

My Dad worked at a factory for years, and every Christmas they held a kids' party. There was always some entertainment, including singalongs. One year, we sang "The Marrow Song". It went like this:

Oh, what a beauty
I've never seen one as big as that before
Oh, what a beauty
It must be two foot long or even more
And such a lovely colour
So nice and round and fat
I never thought a marrow
Could grow as big as that.....

I took it at face value then. Years later I heard Kenneth Williams sing it on the radio, and realised just how utterly filthy it was. An old music hall song, apparently. Mind you, KW could have made the phone book sound filthy which is why I liked him so much.

[PigletJohn]

I'm a bit suspicious about the 1890's wrist watches. My understanding is that wrist-watches only became popular during WW1 as they were more practical in trench warfare. I don't remember seeing a collector's wristwatch earlier than that, and some early wristwatches then were converted from smallish (ladies') fob watches.

BTW I grew up on the fringes of the East End, and "iron 'oof" I heard for the first time on the telly, not as street slang.

[purplepidjin]

I thought that was "well hard" as in fighting, not shagging

Come and 'ave a go if you fink your 'ard enuff...

[Fimbo]

Never mind Everard, it never clicked for years about Wellard the dog in Eastenders

[AmyStake]

I've honestly never heard it before in my life .

[aliceliddell]

dh says anyone who claims not to know this song should be culled. But, there again, he is a nutter.

[BettyTurnip]

Everard = Ever Hard. Is there innuendo in 'Frankie says' t-shirts, or just the association with 'Relax'?

[AmyStake]

. I've never heard it before until now and I'm in my late 20s!

[FruStefanLindman]

OK, maras2, I have to admit I haven't got a clue about Everard - apart from he was Larry Grayson's 'friend'. Please could you tell me

[valiumredhead]

I've just read the lyrics OP - seems you are right!

[FannyLogan]

Urban myth Misty.... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Pugwash#Libel_case_regarding_double_entendres

[Itsjustafleshwound]

Never heard it before you posted this .... very sheltered, overseas childhood

[valiumredhead]

misty that's an urban myth - didn't happen iirc. Makes a good story though

[belgo]

Never hear it before in my life.

[valiumredhead]

janmorrow we have a rag and bone man that comes round our estate ringing a bell

[misty0]

Its only recently i was enlightened about 'Captain Pugwash' + crew!! ha ha, how DID that get past the censors?

(BBC kids programme 80's)

[purplepidjin]

That's the point, Maras, it's a hidden meaning! Only people who "know" and kinky weirdos like me get the message!

I blushed furiously at the age of 12 when listening to Relax on my walkman in front of my parents

[maras2]

FFS. How could I have got to my age and not known that.Bollocks! I'm so rubbish at inuendo.Ididn't even get Larry Grayson's friend's name Everard untill DH.explained it just last year, nor the words to Relax.I even let my 5 year old wear a Frankie Says T shirt till DH. explained that one.I'm late 50's, intelligent in maters not concerning inuendo.I shouldn't be allowed out realy.Maras the thick now has another ' don't get it ' to add to the collection.DH's gonna love this.

[Insomnia11]

I suppose the song's title came from the already established cry of the rag and bone man, rather than the other way round.

With the link with iron hoof and green ties it does look like there is some clever innuendo going on.

[JanMorrow]

We used to sing this at primary school. I started singing it last night during the apprentice (i'm sure that's what prompted your convo too?!)

I remember the rag and bone man coming round to collect things in the early 80's (very early memories for me, I'm only 30!!) and he used to shout "any old iron" and ring his bell.

I'm sure he wasn't waiting for George Michael to come out and attend to him..

[iskra]

I don't think I've heard it before

[purplepidjin]

Thanks, Fru. I didn't mean to leave people hanging, had to go out!