Did anyone ever have the Beatrix Potter album as a child?

[cupcakes]

It had the stories of Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny, the Flopsy Bunnies and Mrs Tiggy Winkle. It was narrated by a woman and full of songs. In particular:
"we're a happy family, yes a happy family
and we live at the foot of an old fir tree.
Flopsy and Mopsy, how could they be sweeter
and funny little Cotton-tail
and Peter."

and also Peter's lament:
"why do I do it? What can it be?
The others may be naughty but they're not as bad as me.
I'd give the world if only I could
now and again be good.
I think a halo would suit me dangling over my ears.
When they behold me they wouldn't scold me,
they'd say well done instead."

Does anyone else remember this or is it just me? I seem to constantly have these songs on my head!
I'm 31 so it would have been around in the mid to late 70's, if not earlier.

WOW, my most vivid child hood recollection is this album. Had it on tape, still have tape box but no tape. DD thinks I'm crazy when I read the story to her and add in the songs. I can recall it so vividly

Nope...I had Peter and the Wolf narrated by Angela Rippon, though...

HayleyK,

Congratulations on getting Peter Rabbit on CD! I wouldn't know where to begin looking for an album or a CD recording of this masterpiece. Would you be willing to send me a copy? I will be happy to pay you in advance for all costs (CD, shipping to the US, etc.) via PayPal (or other method if you'd prefer). I know we don't know each other and this is a lot to ask of a stranger but I'm sure I'd regret not giving it a try...
Thanks,
Jess

We have this LP! Dd1, who's 20, remembers it vividly. Must excavate it and put it onto CD or something. We have also recently acquired DVD's of the Beatrix Potter stories.

Hi Jess,
Are you trying specifically to get this version - it's really old and scratchy and not v good quality, but it's the one I grew up with and so love it - or do you just want to get a version of Peter Rabbit on CD. Because there are loads of new ones and they'd be much better quality - I can send you the link to lots of the ones that I found. I think particularly after the Beatrix Potter film last year (year before?) there were lots. If you especially want this one I can try to sort out working how to get it to you? But if you don't know this version, then I'd probably stick with a newer one if I was you as will be much much better quality.

• Hayley

I realise this is a really old post but I have found these fabulous stories and songs for download at www.vivien-leigh.com/potter.html

Enjoy everyone!

Hi

I had also been looking for these as had them as a child, can still sing many of the songs ...("Why do I do it, what can it be, there's naughtiness in everyone but twice as much in me, I'd give the world if only I could, now and again, be good!").

I have now found this site and it looks like the chap can provide them on CD (although I have emailed him, he is away until the end of July, so i will have to wait and see if he can actually deliver!). I have just had a baby and am all nostalgic for things of my childhood and wanting to get them for him!

www.minigroove.nl/english12.html

Hope this is helpful.

Hi, I know this is donkeys years later but I too have been searching for these albums: Vivien Leigh (English accent) narrating Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny, Mrs Tiggy Winkle and the Flopsy Bunnies, with such songs as "Why do I do it?" and "We're a happy family" and "Gig and Pony" and "Follow your heart" and "we don't care!". I found this web page with audio files for ALL of these stories - hooray! if you're still after them, then give this a listen: www.familyfunland.com/1-free-site/menu-peter-rabbit.htm - or just go to www.familyfunland.com and click on "Peter Rabbit's Garden" on the left.

This thread has made my day. I too can vividly recall all the tunes, and have the empty cassette box. Am off to check out the links. YIPPEE! (Think DD1 (9) will think I have gone mad)

BRILLIANT! Just used family funland link and it works!! Now have to decide whether to go to DDs sports day or take a trip down bunny lane. Hmm, it's a hard one.
Thank you Thank you Thank you

Re the Album on Beatrix Potter, it was narrated by Vivien Leigh. I was fortunate to have it with all the songs that both complimented and supplemented the tales.

There is an internet site at which you can download the songs as mp3. As soon as I recall the site I will post it.

I had this! Loved it!!

Anyone have the noddy/bigears lp? I'd love to find that again!

Hey everyone! I know and love the stories of Beatrix Potter, and I know some of the songs from the old vinyls because my mom used to sing them to me. Especially "Why do I do it?" - I know all the words :)

Here's a great link to the recordings, so amazing!! www.davidcroft.co.uk/Stage-Musicals/

Love
Christy-Lyn

Why do I do it?
What can it be?
There's naughtiness in everyone
But twice as much in me
I'd give the world if only I could,
Now and again, be good.
Why do I do it?
What is the cure?
My brothers and my sisters find it easy I am sure
No one believes I'd like to be good
Never the less I would

I think a halo would suit me,
Dangling over my head.
When they behold me,
They wouldn't scold me,
They'd say well done instead...

Why do I do it?
Am I to blame?
The others can be naughty
But it never seems the same.
That's how I've been ever since I begun
Why do I do it?
Why do I do it?
Why do I do it?
BECAUSE IT'S FUN!!!

:) :)

I have the stories on cd and they match the books exactly. But no songs.
How do I get these fabulous songs? I'm getting nostalgic about something I didn't even have as a child.

I cant believe it! I thought I was the only person who has had these songs buzzing round their heads for years! Anyone I have asked just looks at me oddly! I have been singing Gig and Pony to all 4 of my children, and just today as I sang it to my 1 year old daughter, so I had a renewed determination to track a copy down.... so delighted someone has posted the David Croft link. I had a cassette tape and would listen to it continuously when I was small. I didn't realise it was the esteemed Vivienne Leigh who narrated though.

Gig and pony, gig and pony, trotting along the way,
with a lady riding in a brand new hat
isn't it a handsome day,
gig and pony, gig and pony, trotting along the way,
glory be what a sight to see
all on a summers day
all on a summers day!

there you go, that's my rendition of that little nugget!

Awwwwwesome! It's on itunes!

itunes.apple.com/us/album/tales-beatrix-potter-complete/id526982960

And you can listen to it on iTunes to see if it's the right version.

Oh wow. I couldn't believe it when I saw how many other people were looking for this. I was just sitting quietly when 'Why do I do it?' came into my head, and for a second I couldn't think where it came from. 54 years ago, that's where it came from, sitting in front of the fire with my mother and 2 sisters, listening to the red record as we played. God I'm old. I suspect she bought the records because there was so little television or music for children at that time.

just for anyone that is looking for this cd you can purchase it on iTunes or amazon.

it is the tales of beatrix potter and the narrator is Vivienne Leigh.

it has brought such happy memories back to my life, i listen to it with tears in my eyes.

no not the lady from butterflies - i have the 2 LP's in front of me and the narrator is Vivien Leigh - LP1 has The Tale of Peter Rabbit - The Tale of The Flopsy Bunnies - The Tale of Benjamin Bunny and The Tale of Mrs Tiggy-Winkle - LP2 has The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck - The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin and The Tale of Johnny Town-Mouse - it is a bit scratchy as i am playing right now - but it brings back lashings of memories of wet sunday afternoons in front of the fire with my 2 children - and Peter Rabbit is singing his song Why Do I Do It - its gorgeous

The tale of Benjamin bunny with song gig and pony ❤

Gig and pony from the tale of Benjamin bunny ❤