# Earliest example of a song that subverts the expectation of a bawdy rhyme (better explained in OP) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** liquor-alcohol\ **Created:** [February 26, 2026, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-example-of-a-song-that-subverts-the-expectation-of-a-bawdy-rhyme-better-explained-in-op/1027985 "2026-02-26T04:36:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-example-of-a-song-that-subverts-the-expectation-of-a-bawdy-rhyme-better-explained-in-op/1027985/1 "2026-02-26T04:36:52Z")
I watched a tv show recently where a character sang a bawdy song. The joke was, each stanza set you up for a ribald rhyme, but doesn’t deliver. Kind of like this (making it up in my head) : _My daughter has a suitor_ _A scrawny little runt_ _He likes to take her dancing_ _Then lick her hairy c…_ _…andy’s made from sugar_ _And sometimes made with rum_ _I took a big fat handful_ _And stuffed it up my b…_ _…arley grows in Wiltshire_ (And so on) Do we know the earliest example of this (in English)? I would imagine it would predate Chaucer. ---
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-example-of-a-song-that-subverts-the-expectation-of-a-bawdy-rhyme-better-explained-in-op/1027985/2 "2026-02-26T04:51:42Z")
I don’t know about the oldest example of the song, but this one is my favorite of the genre. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/777Ev5K0Uls/maxresdefault.jpg "Bird & Macdonald- World's Dirtiest Song") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=777Ev5K0Uls) ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-example-of-a-song-that-subverts-the-expectation-of-a-bawdy-rhyme-better-explained-in-op/1027985/3 "2026-02-26T04:51:55Z")
As starting point, “Shaving Cream” was recorded in 1946. I’ve thought about starting a thread game where we take turns writing verses. Probably already been done. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-example-of-a-song-that-subverts-the-expectation-of-a-bawdy-rhyme-better-explained-in-op/1027985/4 "2026-02-26T05:09:54Z")
There is, of course, a trope for that. [https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SubvertedRhymeEveryOccasion](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SubvertedRhymeEveryOccasion) ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-example-of-a-song-that-subverts-the-expectation-of-a-bawdy-rhyme-better-explained-in-op/1027985/5 "2026-02-26T05:39:32Z")
This thread immediately brought to mind two examples. Neither is old enough to qualify as an answer to the OP. 1. Chidren’s song: _Miss Lucy had a steamboat, the steamboat had a bell. Miss Lucy went to heaven, the steamboat went to …_ HELLO OPERATOR, give me number nine. 2. Julie Brown, “I Like ‘em Big and Stupid”: _I met a man, he had a truck. He couldn’t tell time, but he sure could …_ DRIVE. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-example-of-a-song-that-subverts-the-expectation-of-a-bawdy-rhyme-better-explained-in-op/1027985/6 "2026-02-26T07:14:19Z")
A mild version of this shows up in Dublin and Warren’s “Shuffle off to Buffalo” from _42nd Street_ in 1932. “He did right by little Nellie With a shotgun in his b-… Tummy” “Belly” seems to have been more risque back then than it is now. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-example-of-a-song-that-subverts-the-expectation-of-a-bawdy-rhyme-better-explained-in-op/1027985/7 "2026-02-26T07:21:19Z")
From “Ain’t We Got Fun” (1921), essentially a very mild example of the opposite trope: > There’s nothing surer > > The rich get richer and the poor get children ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-example-of-a-song-that-subverts-the-expectation-of-a-bawdy-rhyme-better-explained-in-op/1027985/8 "2026-02-26T07:26:36Z")
From the Killers’ _Mr. Brightside_, which isn’t the earliest example by far, but is a great example of the style; > Now they’re going to bed > And my stomach is sick > And it’s all in my head > But she’s touching his > Chest The Doors also had a good’n in _L’America_; > C’mon people, don’t you look so down > You know the rainman’s comin’ to town > He’ll change your weather, change your luck > And then he’ll teach you how to… > …Find yourself ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-example-of-a-song-that-subverts-the-expectation-of-a-bawdy-rhyme-better-explained-in-op/1027985/9 "2026-02-26T07:41:56Z")
TvTropes informs me that there’s an example in _Hamlet_. > **Hamlet:** (singing) For thou dost know, O Damon dear, > This realm dismantled was > Of Jove himself; and now reigns here > A very, very—pajock. > > **Horatio:** You might have rhymed. (It notes that the word “was” was, at the time, pronounced such that it rhymed with “glass”. I will allow you to fill in the subverted rhyme.) ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-example-of-a-song-that-subverts-the-expectation-of-a-bawdy-rhyme-better-explained-in-op/1027985/10 "2026-02-26T07:45:15Z")
To the tune of “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” It was Christmas Day in the cookhouse, the happiest day of the year Mens hearts were full of gladness, and their bellies full of beer When up popped Private Shorty, his face as bold as brass He said “you can take your Christmas pudding And stick it up your…” Tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy O, tidings of comfort and joy It was Christmas day in the harem, the eunuchs were standing round While hundreds of beautiful women lay stretched out on the ground When in strolled the bold bad Sultan, and gazed at his marble halls He asked “what do you want for Christmas, boys?” And the eunuchs answered: Tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy O, tidings of comfort and joy Billy Bennet, 1930. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-example-of-a-song-that-subverts-the-expectation-of-a-bawdy-rhyme-better-explained-in-op/1027985/11 "2026-02-26T07:45:28Z")
There’s a song which I used to hear performed when I attended Renaissance Faires, called the “Clean Song.” The meter is such that you expect each naughty word that completes a rhyme, but the singer pauses for a moment instead of saying the bawdy word, before moving to the next couplet. The first few lines (link to the whole lyrics is below): > [@](#): > > There was a young sailor who looked through the glass > Spied a fair mermaid with scales on her > > Island where seagulls fly over their nests > She combed the long hair that hung over her > > Shoulders and caused her to tickle and itch > The sailor cried out "There’s a beautiful > > Mermaid a-sitting out there on the rocks!" > The crew came around a-grabbing their > **[Oscar Brand – A Clean Song](https://genius.com/Oscar-brand-a-clean-song-lyrics)** > > There was a young sailor who looked through the glass / Spied a fair mermaid with scales on her / Island where seagulls fly over their nests / She combed the long hair that hung ---
**Author:** ![Author\_Balk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Author\_Balk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Author_Balk)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-example-of-a-song-that-subverts-the-expectation-of-a-bawdy-rhyme-better-explained-in-op/1027985/12 "2026-02-26T14:58:04Z")
I heard one a long time ago. I’m not sure when it originated. I did a search and found a discussion here about it. > [@"Three Irishmen" Nursery Rhyme Variants](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-irishmen-nursery-rhyme-variants/476766/2): > > Just added the proper line to yours… if you do not like it, you can kiss my ask me a question, I’ll give you some advice ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-example-of-a-song-that-subverts-the-expectation-of-a-bawdy-rhyme-better-explained-in-op/1027985/13 "2026-02-26T15:07:18Z")
My father would sing “Sweet Violets”: There one was a farmer who took a young miss In back of the barn where he gave her a Lecture on horses and chickens and eggs, And told her that she had such beautiful Manners… ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-example-of-a-song-that-subverts-the-expectation-of-a-bawdy-rhyme-better-explained-in-op/1027985/14 "2026-02-26T15:14:42Z")
Something similar on Family Guy: Brian sings _I love the work of Alan Funt_ _I love a freshly-shaven_ _Leg_ ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-example-of-a-song-that-subverts-the-expectation-of-a-bawdy-rhyme-better-explained-in-op/1027985/15 "2026-02-26T18:16:02Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > I’ve thought about starting a thread game where we take turns writing verses. Probably already been done. Just was, thanks for the idea: > [@Subverted Rhymes!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subverted-rhymes/1028002): > > Seems like a natural for us lunatics here. Easy peasy: finish the sentence by subverting the rhymes that the previous poster set up, then use that to begin a new one of your own. Sequitur or non-, your choice. Remember to leave the final letter of the rhyming word dangling with ellipses… So without further ado… My brother loves to fish Catches lots of bass Then pulls down his pants And shoves them up his a… ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-example-of-a-song-that-subverts-the-expectation-of-a-bawdy-rhyme-better-explained-in-op/1027985/16 "2026-02-26T20:14:55Z")
Reminds me of my Dad’s favourite limerick: There once was a girl from Madras Who had a magnificent ass Not rosy and pink As you probably think But grey, with long ears, that ate grass ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-example-of-a-song-that-subverts-the-expectation-of-a-bawdy-rhyme-better-explained-in-op/1027985/17 "2026-02-26T20:41:00Z")
Martin Mull had a pretty good one. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/qRSAiZoONP4/maxresdefault.jpg "The Humming Song") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRSAiZoONP4) ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-example-of-a-song-that-subverts-the-expectation-of-a-bawdy-rhyme-better-explained-in-op/1027985/18 "2026-02-26T21:12:03Z")
Not the earliest by any means, but this made me recall one of the verses in _Rastabilly_ by The Dead Milkmen: > My baby drives a truck > My baby sure is good luck > My baby has a pet duck > And my baby is a heck of a ffff-riend ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2026, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-example-of-a-song-that-subverts-the-expectation-of-a-bawdy-rhyme-better-explained-in-op/1027985/19 "2026-02-27T18:22:54Z")
Didn’t every kid sing the the Shaving Cream one and Miss Lucy or was that just a North East thing? ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2026, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-example-of-a-song-that-subverts-the-expectation-of-a-bawdy-rhyme-better-explained-in-op/1027985/20 "2026-02-27T18:28:38Z")
I remember singing “Miss Lucy” back in the day, I was an adult before I heard the “Shaving Cream” song. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-example-of-a-song-that-subverts-the-expectation-of-a-bawdy-rhyme-better-explained-in-op/1027985.md?page=2)