Saturday, March 14, 2009

'Right Said Fred!'

Having a blog with 'nostalgia' in its title, regularly has me reminiscing back to my childhood and to thinking what else I can possibly write, to bore you with next!
;-))

Small everyday things get me thinking too, when I'm least expecting it... For example, I am often heard exclaiming 'Right said Fred!', as I jump up ready to get on with something, rather than sitting doing nothing... My youngest asked me the other day - 'Why do you always say that Mum? -Who's Fred?' Well this got me reflecting on where this expression came from, which seems to have been with me since I was a little girl.

Now if you are of a certain age, I'm sure you'll know what I'm talking about...and its not that dodgy pop band from the 1980's...its before that, when music was of a far different class! ;-))
Do you remember Ed (Stu Pot) Stewart, who was a DJ at Radio 1 with a show called 'Junior Choice', on every Saturday and Sunday morning during the late 60's and 70's? With his jingle of 'Hello Darling'!

It was a programme for the whole family to enjoy together over a leisurely breakfast. He'd play such classics (week in, week out!) as: 'Two Little Boys' and 'Jake the Peg' by Rolf Harris, 'Nelly the Elephant' by Mandy Miller, 'My Bruvver' by Terry Scott (always a favourite!), 'My Boomerang Won't Come Back' -Charlie Drake, and 'Ole in the Ground' by Bernard Cribbins.

And it's another song by Mr. Cribbins where the expression 'Right Said Fred' (we'll have a cuppa tea) comes from. It obviously made a lasting impression on me, as those three words have always stuck, and who can blame me, (giggle,) with outstanding lyrics such as these:

"Right," said Fred, "Both of us together
One on each end and steady as we go."
Tried to shift it, couldn't even lift it
We was getting nowhere
And so we had a cuppa tea and

"Right," said Fred, "Give a shout for Charlie."
Up comes Charlie from the floor below.
After strainin', heavin' and complainin'
We was getting nowhere
And so we had a cuppa tea.

And Charlie had a think, and he thought we ought to take off all the handles
And the things wot held the candles.
But it did no good, well I never thought it would
"All right," said Fred, "Have to take the feet off
To get them feet off wouldn't take a mo."

Took its feet off, even took the seat off
Should have got us somewhere but no!
So Fred said, "Let's have a cuppa tea."
And we said, "right-o."

"Right," said Fred, "Have to take the door off
Need more space to shift the so-and-so."
Had bad twinges taking off the hinges
And it got us nowhere
And so we had a cuppa tea and

"Right," said Fred, " Have to take the wall down,
That there wall is gonna have to go."
Took the wall down, even with it all down
We was getting nowhere
And so we had a cuppa tea.

And Charlie had a think, and he said, "Look, Fred,
I get a sort of feelin'
If we remove the ceilin'
With a rope or two we could drop the blighter through."

"All right," said Fred, climbing up a ladder
With his crowbar gave a mighty blow.
Was he in trouble, half a ton of rubble landed on the top of his dome.
So Charlie and me had another cuppa tea
And then we went home.

(I said to Charlie, "We'll just have to leave it
Standing on the landing, that's all
Trouble with Fred is, he's too hasty
Never get nowhere if you're too hasty.")

(c)1962, by Myles Rudge (lyrics) & Ted Dicks (music)Recorded by Gordon Bok & Cindy Kalletand by Cindy Mangsen and Steve Gilletteearly recording by Bernard Cribbens
OK, so this post was just a bit of fun, and if you're still none the wiser, (what is this woman talking about?!) then have a listen to the classic track here! (And tell me that, that 'boing' sound in every verse wouldn't have made you chuckle when you were a little one!) I must warn you though, you'll probably end up singing it all day afterwards, and you may even hear yourself quoting 'right said Fred' when its time for a cuppa!
And all the pretty tea cups today? Well, I can't really imagine Bernard sipping tea from any of these, but I love them, and I do drink just about as much of the stuff as him ;-))
Wouldn't it be great to flick on the radio just now and listen to good ol' Stu Pot again? (Except you can keep 'Sparky's Magic Piano' by Sparky, I always found that one a bit creepy!) - They just don't write innocent songs like those Junior Choice tunes any more though....hmmm...never thought I'd hear myself saying that...but guess I am of that certain age now...but of an age to enjoy a bit of nostalgia too!
Have a great weekend,
Niki x

31 comments:

  1. I love your teacup parade, Niki!

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  2. Anonymous1:46 pm

    The question is what is the object they are trying to move. In my imagination it's a piano but it doesn't actually say so. Thanks for the post - it madew me smile.

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  3. This makes me think of how much I enjoy having tea in your gorgeous retro cups, Niki!! Usually with Frank or Dean in the background... ;)
    Hope hubby won't be shocked so much hearing me saying: 'Right said Fred!' at 5 pm. today!!I'll let you know...
    Hugs,
    Monicaxx.

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  4. Oh my, Niki! What a fun and nostalgic post! I have heard of that saying before, but didn't know of it associated with a radio program (for obvious reasons being on this side of the pond)! But this whole concept of childhood nostalgia... do you know just a couple days ago my mom sent me an old photo of myself and a group of friends all dressed in our tutus for a dance recital (when we weren't even of school age yet)! The photo made me nostalgic and I started remembering all the fashions of the day, the handbags our moms used, the toys we played with, the music that played on the radio... amazing how something can trigger those memories! =)

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  5. Just reading the words of your blog and the lyrics to the song made me smile (btw you could never bore us with your sense of nostalgia!)

    I am not quite of a certain age (almost ~ but not quite!) but love the innocence of the past (I think I am romanticising a bit here!) and the type of songs that you mention.

    The cups are gorgeous...and now I'm going to be humming that tune all day!

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  6. Enjoyed reading your post Niki, it made me smile and I remembered the tune too.
    Take care.
    Nickyx

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  7. Anonymous4:45 pm

    I remember the song well Niki... it was great to read the words and I sang along as I read them... old enough to remember the tune you see! Isn't it strange how a simple object can conjure up the memories.
    Thanks for that.
    Take care Frances

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  8. ...lovely, I remember it all only too well...love the cups so very pretty.
    Jan

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  9. I know the song and instantly had it running through my head as I scrolled past each beautiful cup. My mind then ran on to "a mouse lived in windmill in old Amsterdam" and wondering if you had any Delft..........

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  10. I fondly remember my mum singing that song to me when I was growing up - only one of the verses though, I never knew the rest, but have loved reading them, and will have to share this with her too! Thanks

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  11. Loved this post Niki. As you can imagine I'm singing/humming/whistling it now - when I'm not singing about the mouse in the windmill (thanks for the memory, Menopausal Musings!). Of course you're not old enough to remember Uncle Mac and Children's Favourites with "You're a pink toothbrush said the blue toothbrush ... ". I wonder if Google has the words somewhere.

    Sue xx

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  12. PS - Yes, YouTube, Max Bygraves! I'll have to listen!
    Sue x

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  13. I love your pretty cups, they are gorgeous! I've not heard that before, though my Mum in law says "right said Fred" so maybe that's where she got it from!

    Mel xxx

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  14. I laughed out loud at this Niki! I can remember all those songs, including Bernard's Right said Fred! My hubby loves Charlie Drake's "boomerang" and we have to listen to it on youtube rather too often for my liking! As for "Sparky" I remember listening to it with HUGE headphones on at Primary school - it fascinated me, that song! Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

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  15. What a beautiful collection of teacups you have. My daughter has just started collecting them so we are always on the lookout for that "special" cup.

    Did it take you long to collect so many?

    Margaret

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  16. the teacups are exquisite and the post delightful! Happy Weekend to you!

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  17. goodness charlie drake - now that is really a blast from the past ..i'm off to watch the full collection of darling buds of may as you have instilled in me fond memories of my homeland and i will make a cuppa tea in honor of you love lynnie

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  18. Never heard the sing before today but it sure is cute. Thank for the funny post and sharing all the pretty teacups...Love them all
    Sonia

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  19. Your posts have been wonderful recently ...not that hey arent wlays wonderful...but I have particularly enjoyed them and yes I remember all the Nostalgia mentioned today and was singing the song along in my head....I also love the beautiful cups hch would not last two inutes in our house...Pete is always dropping cups ont he granite work top or the dishwasher eats them...reading your posts makes me feel light...calm and warm...just what I need at the moment...love H

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  20. Anonymous10:14 am

    That takes me back. I used to love Junior Choice on the radio although both 'Nelly the Elephant' and 'Puff the Magic Dragon' could make me start crying as I always thought they were such sad songs. (I was a very sensitive child!!) Although 'The Laughing Policeman' and anything by Pinky and Perky used to drive me mad - even as a six-year-old I thought those songs were just too childish for words. Thanks for that little trip down memory lane, and the lovely photos of your tea cups.

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  21. I used to love "Right Said Fred" and loved Ed Stewpot, thanks for the memories! We watched The Railway Children again the other week and Bernard Cribbins is so lovely in that too, in fact they all are. I remember having a Railway Children's dress with matching apron as they were all the rage for a while. can you remember those?
    Kimx

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  22. Loving the teacups through your post!
    LOL here I was thinking Right Said Fred was a band, hehehe!

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  23. Sad to say I am of the age to remember that song, Ed (stewpot) Sewart and everything! I do agree with you about Sparky's Magic Piano! Love the teacups

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  24. Hi Niki, I thought I was mad! Lol -this is a phrase/song I say/sing frequently, much to the amusement of others and had obviously stemmed from my childhood. I couldn't remember who sang it though.

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  25. AHA! This is on the boy's playlist on the iPod - we sing along with gusto and debate - if it's not a piano what could it be? I introduced the song so that he could understand why it was, that everytime daddy said 'Right' I would mutter 'Said Fred'! xx

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  26. I remember it only too well and i say right said Fred and forgeting where it come from thanks for a blast from the past have a good week best wishes Pat

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  27. Hello Niki
    I loved your lovely tea cup collection! So pretty to see them and thanks for sharing your trip down memory lane Pinkie

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  28. How Ironic....here I am visiting my lovely Niki and you Have a post saying 'Right said Fred'!

    ahhh Nostalgia Indeed...I love it and I remember those days...before 'health and safety' went MAD! LOL!

    Those teacups are divine honey...the black one with pink roses, My old nan used to have...so that brings back memories...also I love the cream and green spot ;)

    I am trying to get Freddy back blogging...as although he is still unwell...he is creating some wonderful art and still makes me laugh :)

    We'll have to see!...sorry to of not been in touch...I hope you are all OK - I often think of you :)

    Its all looking great over here...you are still the Queen of Nostalgia to me Honey xx

    Love Happy xx

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    http://www.sassy-mamas.com/ Get sassy today! I will also send an emial invite!

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  30. I often still says "Right said Fred" when I have to knuckle down to something - even down here in Oz! I'm glad I'm not the only one. It was great to sing along to the lyrics. Love your teacups.

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Thank you for finding the time to visit me...
Niki xx