Thursday, June 26, 2008

Song of the Week: Yes Indeedy

When Yellow Submarine was the Song of the Week, the Goddess of Clarity wrote in that the song was one that a nun taught her to play on the guitar. She added, "Another favorite was 'Yes Indeedy Pumpkin Seedy,' which I sadly can't find a reference to online."

Six weeks later, a commenter named Ldyvic posted that Joe Wise sings a children's song called "Yes Indeedy," and pointed me to iTunes. (I found it on Amazon, too, as a MP3 file.) Giamusic distributes Joe Wise's music, and you can find this song and others on The Best of Joe Wise Music for Kids Vol. II. I wrote to Joe Wise to ask him if he was the author of the song (since he covered other people's songs on his albums), and he replied, "Yes indeedy, pumpkin seedy Yes I am the author, though if any kid sings it all across the country in the car on the family vacation I'll deny authorship in any court."

Here are the lyrics to the song as I've transcribed them:

Yes Indeedy
By Joe Wise

Yes indeedy, pumpkin seedy
No siree bob, hey diddle corn cob
Yeah but no but wait a minute, could be so
Maybe baby, chicken and gravy
Don’t be silly saspirilly
Hardly yardly, bailing up barley, pick a little, I don’t know!


My Uncle Fred had a problem in his head
So I hear tell from my old Auntie Kay
He could make up his bed but not up his mind
In answer to most any question, this is what he said:

Chorus

My Uncle Zeke had some funny thinking streaks
He would sit for days just wandering in his head
After weeks of sitting a’whittling and a’spitting
You asked him if he wanted supper, this is what he said:

Chorus

Uncle Fred and Zeke were driving on a peak
When the car went to the edge, Zeke yelled out, “Brakes!
Should we put them on, old Fred?” was the last thing that they said
And you could hear them singing standing at the Pearly Gates:

Chorus

12 comments:

Lone Star Ma said...

Okay, then - I have a mission for you. Find me, por favor, the lyrics to a song that goes something like "What a (glad and joyful?) feeling when the bells of peace are peeling..."and then some. In a round. Thanks. I know you can do it.

Saints and Spinners said...

LSM: I found in my copy of Rise Up Singing a German round that goes, "How how lovely is the evening when the bells are sweetly ringing." I wonder if it's the same tune?

...Yes! It is. Here is the link for your song: http://schools.4j.lane.edu/edison/classrooms/music-lyrics.html

The lyrics for the Peace Round are:
1. What a Grand and Glorious Feeling, glorious feeling

2. When the Bells of peace are ringing, peace are ringing

3. Peace on Earth
Peace on Earth
Peace on Earth

Here is a link to the sheet music and a MIDI:http://www-personal.umich.edu/~msmiller/rlovelyeve.html

As my first grade teacher would say, "Alkelda, stand up, take a bow, and sit down."

Lone Star Ma said...

You totally rock. Thanks!

Unknown said...

Woo hoo!

You are a star! I remembered the chorus (of course; it doesn't lend itself to forgetting) but I had mishmashed the verses up in my head.

The guitar-weilding nun also taught us "Daddy Long Legs and Mama Short Arms," "Obla-Di-Obla-Da," and a bunch of folky church-y songs like "Day by Day" from Godspell. I took my confirmation name -- Michelle -- after her. She was so happy and patient, making her somewhat of an oddity amongst the nuns at our school.

--goddess of clarity

Colin McNamara said...

I grew up on the music of Joe Wise.

That Daddy Long Legs song was on the album Daddy Long Legs (which also contained the Yes Indeedy song). I don't know if it's still published on a current album, like Yes Indeedy.

His earlier albums Close Your Eyes and Show Me Your Smile are my favorites, probably because they were the music of my childhood. Fortunately, I managed to get the two albums on tape several years ago and rip them to mp3 so that I can still relive that nostalgia. (The Daddy Long Legs album isn't as nostalgic to me because I was older, and they were sillier songs.) If you're interested, I'd be happy to share some of them with you. Some are dated--very folky, from the 70s--but they're still really good kids' songs.

Saints and Spinners said...

Colin: Thanks for stopping by! I'd like to hear "Daddy-Long Legs," so thanks for the offer! I checked the Giamusic website and didn't see the song there.

Colin McNamara said...

Unfortunately, that's not one that I have. I just have the Close Your Eyes and Show Me Your Smile albums. "Daddy Long Legs" is on the Doodle Be Doo or Daddy Long Legs album, whichever it was called.

I could probably transcribe part of the song from memory. (I was going to say most of it, but then I tried to remember it, and there were lots of places that I couldn't give words.)

Going to the GIA music site, it looks like they do sell it. It's the title Doodle Be Doo. You can buy it as a single for $4, or Music for Kids, Vol. 2 (which includes the Yes Indeedy song) for $17. They also have a 1-minute clip from the song listed:

http://www.giamusic.com/mp3s/578_1.mp3

Saints and Spinners said...

Thanks, Colin!

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

I had this song in my head this morning, but couldn't remember the entire chorus--thank you!

gail
ps use to sing it to my pre-k class. Been away too long I suppose.

Saints and Spinners said...

Gail: You are welcome! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I am glad when a post from previous years answers a current question.

Aunt Elizabeth said...

I'd love that. I was struck by the absolute hilarity of Tom Wise lyrics in Daddy Long legs...and would love to listen and dance again!

Aunt Elizabeth said...

Thank you! !memories! !