"I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts" is a well-known novelty song dating from the 1940s. It was composed in 1944 by Fred Heatherton, an English songwriter, and celebrates the traditional coconut shy of funfairs.
The song was first recorded by Danny Kaye, the actor/singer/comedian famous for such movies as White Christmas and The Court Jester. Kaye became aware of the song in a successful tour of the UK featuring sellout performances at the Palladium and appearances in Royal Command Performances. The song became Danny Kaye's only big US chart hit in 1950. It was also later recorded by Merv Griffin and several other artists. The song is still played over the public address system at Cambridge United football matches after home wins.
The song appeared on I Could Go On Singing, mainly memorable as Judy Garland's last film. It also appeared on the Magical Mystery Tour, Beatles TV special broadcast by the BBC on December 26, 1967.
[edit] Lyrics
Down at the English fair
One evening I was there
When I heard a showman shouting underneath the flare
I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts
There they are a-standing in a row
Big ones, small ones, some as big as your head
Give 'em a twist, a flick of the wrist, that's what the showman said
I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts
Every ball you throw'll make me rich
There stands me wife, the idol of me life
singin' roll-a-bowl-a-ball, a penny a pitch
Chorus:
Singin' roll-a-bowl-a-ball a penny a pitch
Singin' roll-a-bowl-a-ball a penny a pitch
Roll-a-bowl-a-ball
Roll-a-bowl-a-ball
Singin' roll-a-bowl-a-ball a penny a pitch
I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts
They're loveley!
There they are all standing in a row
One, two, three, four
Big ones, small ones, some as big as your head
And bigger!
Give 'em a twist, a flick of the wrist, that's what the showman said
Now, but I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts
Fa la la la la!
Every ball you throw'll make me rich
Have a banana!
There stands me wife, the idol of me life
Singin' roll-a-bowl-a-ball, a penny a pitch
All together now!
Chorus:
Singin' roll-a-bowl-a-ball a penny a pitch(Harmony!)
Singin' roll-a-bowl-a-ball a penny a pitch
Roll-a-bowl-a-ball
Roll-a-bowl-a-ball
Singin' roll-a-bowl-a-ball a penny a pitch
Singin' roll-a-bowl-a-ball a penny a pitch!