How long does the longest song run for? Also, how short is the shortest one? Please identify the names of both songs and singers.

Baloo55th

I assume you mean pop songs. Otherwise, the Border Ballad 'Dick o' the Cow' has about 72 verses (of four lines) and is rarely performed because singers know that if they announce they are going to sing it, there will be a mass exodus to the bar. You can comfortably sink a pint and get a refill in the time it takes. The shortest I do is 'Abigail' which has five lines only. The drawbacks to this song are that it's over before people know you've started (a drawback from my point of view, not from that of the listeners), and that it should not be performed to non-adult audiences. No rude words in it, just implications. Feb 17 06, 3:40 PM

gmackematix

One million bottles of beer on the wall... Feb 17 06, 7:30 PM

Priscilla9

Thanks Baloo! gmack, my friend, you crack me up...though you do make perfect sense! I remember many-an-illustrious car ride...my huge sunglasses, wind blowing in my hair...and my younger siblings singing that wretched song, just to reassure me that they hadn't actually succeeded in knocking each other out in the back seat. Good times. Hey baloo, did you find that in a world records book? I have been looking for it everywhere! Did you google? Feb 17 06, 8:51 PM

daddy1161992

see question # 59494 Feb 18 06, 2:34 PM

Baloo55th

Ballads of Britain, edited by John Goss with an introduction by Sir John Squire (and decorations by J. Whitbread), Pub. John Land the Bodley Head, London 1937. Memory's giving out. Dick o' the Cow is slightly shorter than I said. Only 63 verses. It's about some trouble(!) between Dick 'o the Cow and the Armstrongs. (Many Border Ballads involve the Armstrongs. SO did many of the Border Incidents of the time... Kinmont Willie has 42 verses, and Jock o' the Side a mere 34. There wasn't much to do when it wasn't raiding weather. The shortest in this book is King o Luve (spelled like that) which has four fourline verses, and I've never managed to find out what it's about. For two versions of Dick o' the Cow, go to http://www.borderballads.gallowayfolk.co.uk/dicko'.htm and for King o Luve see http://sniff.numachi.com/~rickheit/dtrad/pages/tiKINGLUVE.html If you want Abigail, I'll mail her to you.... Feb 18 06, 3:19 PM