The Owl & the Pussycat by Edward Lear

I learned this version from an LP ("A Golden Treasury of Fairy Tales", Golden Records GLP-32) from my childhood, on which Anne Lloyd sang Lear's verses backed by a woodwind ensemble (under the direction of Mitch Miller). My copy lacks its jacket, which may or may not list the composer, but I'd like to give credit where it is due; a cursory search hasn't turned up this melody. Do you know who composed this particular tune?

The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea In a beautiful pea green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money, Wrapped up in a five pound note.
The Owl looked up to the stars above, And sang to a small guitar,
'O lovely Pussy! O Pussy my love, What a beautiful Pussy you are, You are, You are!
What a beautiful Pussy you are!'

Pussy said to the Owl, 'You elegant fowl! How charmingly sweet you sing!
O let us be married! too long we have tarried: But what shall we do for a ring?'
They sailed away, for a year and a day, To the land where the Bong-tree grows
And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood With a ring at the end of his nose, His nose, His nose,
With a ring at the end of his nose.

'Dear pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling Your ring?' Said the Piggy, 'I will.'
So they took it away, and were married next day By the Turkey who lives on the hill.
They dined on mince, and slices of quince, Which they ate with a runcible spoon;
And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand, They danced by the light of the moon, The moon, The moon,
They danced by the light of the moon.

[My performance dedicated to the Pussycat, in her own yard.]

Category:

Music

Tags:

• owl
• pussycat
• Edward
• Lear
• charango
• art2liv4

[fromthesidelines]

Anne Lloyd recorded the original version with Mitch Miller's woodwind ensemble for Golden Records in 1949 (and was reissued several times over the years); however, part of the first verse was omitted in her version [specifically the part about "what a beautiful pussy you are", possibly because Miller or Golden personnel thought that was 'too suggestive' for kids]. This rendition is just as poignant...

[art2liv4]

Thanks for the info, I love that woodwind arrangement.

[fromthesidelines]

My pleasure, 'art'.

[mercedezzz]

I love that Farter8000 exists.

[farter8000]

sounds kinda fucked

[karenjo1]

Wow, I haven't heard that in years. I think you are the owl and TK is the pussycat? Very romantic :-)