Years ago it seemed that people entertained
themselves more than they do today. Most people would whistle songs.
When is the last time you heard someone whistle a song to themselves?
Even more people would sing songs. Out loud to themselves. People
don't do that today. They may sing along with a recorded song but
never alone. I guess we expect to be entertained by others.
In circa 1935 my Granny had parties in her backyard. There was
beer on tap and plenty of whiskey. For the kids there was soda and
iced tea. Pretzels and chips were the only food. Cookouts weren't
invented yet. There weren't any record players or musicians in the
family. The entertainment was everyone singing together. What they
lacked in quality they made up for in volume.
They sang all the famous Irish songs and some Polish ( Beer Barrel
and Pennsylvania Polkas ). Another song that they sang was German
in origin. Since most were Irish they sang the English version.
It was called , Das ist, was ich erlerne in der Schule "That's
what I learn in school ". It seemed to be the favorite. I don't
think it could be a replacement for Anatomy # 101 but they tried.
Please bear with me why I try to replicate the lyrics less they
be forgotten. The song started off with everyone putting their hands
on their shoulders and singing.
"With my hands on my shoulder and what is this here?"
Everyone would point to their forehead and say "that is my
sweat boxer my teacher dear"
'Dedal dedal dum that's what I learn in school".
They would then go in a descending order down the front of the
body. Again the verse would be repeated "With my hands on my
shoulder and what is this here?" Everyone would point to their
eye and say " that is my eye blinker my teacher dear"
"Dedal dedal dum that's what I learn in school"
Then they would repeat in a reverse order what they learned
"Eye blinker!"
"Sweat boxer!"
"Dedal dedal dum that's what I learn in school."
This would continue down the front of the body and then they would
repeat in a reverse order all that they had learned. As I said,
it went in a descending order. From top to bottom it went:
Sweat boxer!
Eye blinker!
Snot blower!
Bull Shooter!
Chin chopper!
Chest protector!
Beer belly!
Trouble maker!
Knee knocker!
Everyone would laugh like mad when the song was finished. They
provided their own entertainment.
As Jiminy Cricket said to Pinocchio " just give a little
whistle".
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