The humble ukelele was the instrument of choice for all blues giants from Robert Johnston to Prince (not really such a giant I suppose) Anti-ukelele activists have attempted to destroy all uke-based recordings and photos that would prove this.
This song seeks to redress the balance. It was recorded in 1891 in Motherwell using spare body parts from the original HMV dog.
lyrics
When I was a young thing
Papa said ‘we’re poor
Can’t afford no six –string
You gotta make do with four’
But when you’re a man
World will see what you become
You’ll be the ukelele man
Cos son you was born to strum
I was busking in the city
When I was just nineteen
A woman laughed and said
That’s the smallest thing I ever seen!
I said with a ukelele you get lots a fun
You’re always smooth and silky
When you’re nylon strung
Then she made me a man
Made what I’ve become
She made me the ukelele man
She said hun you was born to strum
If you want to do something
Special with your life
Find yourself a ukelele
And a hootchie-cootchie wife
And you’ll become
Just what I’ve become
You’ll be the ukelele man
Cos we’re all born to strum
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