There's a Hole in My Bucket

Last updated

"There's a Hole in My Bucket"
Song
Published1700 in Germany

"There's a Hole in My Bucket" (or "...in the Bucket") is a humorous, classic children's folk song based on a protracted dialogue between two characters, Henry [a] and Liza, about a leaky bucket. Various versions exist but they differ only slightly, all describing a "deadlock" situation essentially as follows: Henry's bucket leaks, so Liza tells him to repair it. To fix the leaky bucket, he needs straw. To cut the straw, he needs a knife. To use the knife, he needs to sharpen it. If the sharpening stone must be damp, he needs water. But to fetch water, he needs the bucket, which has a hole in it.

Contents

In honour of the song, people celebrate National[ where? ] Hole in My Bucket Day on May 30 every year. [5]

Lyrics

There's a Hole in My Bucket

There's a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza,
There's a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, a hole.

  Then mend it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,
  Then mend it, dear Henry, dear Henry, mend it.
 
With what shall I mend it, dear Liza, dear Liza?
With what shall I mend it, dear Liza, with what?

  With straw, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,
  With straw, dear Henry, dear Henry, with straw.

The straw is too long, dear Liza, dear Liza,
The straw is too long, dear Liza, too long.

  Then cut it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,
  Then cut it, dear Henry, dear Henry, cut it.

With what shall I cut it, dear Liza, dear Liza?
With what shall I cut it, dear Liza, with what?

  With a knife, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,
  With a knife, dear Henry, dear Henry, a knife.

The knife is too dull, dear Liza, dear Liza,
The knife is too dull, dear Liza, too dull.

  Then sharpen it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,
  Then sharpen it, dear Henry, dear Henry, sharpen it.

With what shall I sharpen it, dear Liza, dear Liza?
With what shall I sharpen it, dear Liza, with what?

  With a stone, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,
  With a stone, dear Henry, dear Henry, a stone.

The stone is too dry, dear Liza, dear Liza,
The stone is too dry, dear Liza, too dry.

  Then wet it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,
  Then wet it, dear Henry, dear Henry, wet it.

With what shall I wet it, dear Liza, dear Liza?
With what shall I wet it, dear Liza, with what?

  With water, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,
  With water, dear Henry, dear Henry, with water.

In what shall I fetch it, dear Liza, dear Liza?
In what shall I fetch it, dear Liza, in what?

  In a bucket, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,
  In a bucket, dear Henry, dear Henry, in a bucket.

But there's a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza,
There's a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, a hole.

Origins and development

The earliest known archetype of this song seems to be in the German collection of songs Bergliederbüchlein (c 1700). It is set as a dialogue between a woman named Liese, and an unnamed man. [6]

Wenn der Beltz em Loch hat –
stop es zu meine liebe Liese
Womit soll ich es zustopfen –
mit Stroh, meine liebe Liese.

When the jug has a hole –
stop it up my dear Liese
With what shall I stop it –
with straw my dear Liese.

Version in the Kommersbuch De Schauenburg Allgemeines Deutsches Kommersbuch 347.jpg
Version in the Kommersbuch

In later German sources the song is reproduced under the title of Heinrich und Liese and credited as a folk song from Hesse. In the 19th century it was sung as a commercium song and printed in the 1858 Allgemeines Deutsches Kommersbuch. The renowned song collection Deutscher Liederhort (3 volumes, 1856–1894) edited by Ludwig Erk and Franz Magnus Böhme includes the song, relating it also to the Flemish song Mooy Bernardyn ("Wat doet gy in het groene veld ?"). The German song became even more widespread when it was included in the famous Wandervogel songbook Der Zupfgeigenhansl in 1909.

In George Korson's "Pennsylvania Songs and Legends" (1949) there is a song with meter closer to the modern English version and beginning thus:

Wann der Tschock awer en Loch hot
Liewer Georgie Liewer Georgie,
Wann der Tschock a wer en Loch hot?
Dummer Ding, dann schtopp'n zu!

When the jug has a hole
Dear Georgie, dear Georgie
When the jug has a hole
'Stupid thing, then stop it up!

This was collected in 1940, and is earlier than any known English-language version. This suggests that it might be a traditional "Pennsylvania Dutch" (i.e. German) song. Ed McCurdy recorded it in 1958 on "Children's Songs". Harry Belafonte recorded it with Odetta in 1960. It reached No. 32 in the UK Singles Chart in September 1961. [7] In his book Where Have All the Flowers Gone: A Singer's Songs, Stories, Seeds, Robberies (1993), Pete Seeger refers to it as an originally German song, "Lieber Heinrich". [8] Songs Along the Mahantongo: Pennsylvania Dutch Folksongs (1951), by Boyer, Buffington, & Yoder, has a version

Was soll ich koche, liewer Hei,
Liewer Heinrich, liewer Heinrich?
Was soll ich koche, liewer Heinrich,
Was dann?

What should I cook, dear Henry,
Dear Henry, dear Henry?
What should I cook, dear Henry,
Tell me what. (literally: What then?)

These versions all have Henry as the foolish questioner and Liza as the common-sense woman.

Further adaptations

An English version of the song existed by 1937, when it was quoted in the novel Starting Point by Cecil Day-Lewis.

There's a hole in my bucket, Sister Liza, Sister Liza!
There's a hole in my bucket, Sister Liza, a hole! [9]

In 1953, Flanders and Swann wrote a parody named "There's a Hole in My Budget" satirising the British budget deficit, substituting the Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Chancellor Rab Butler for Henry and Liza, respectively. They rerecorded it in 1974, updating the characters to Harold Wilson and Denis Healey. [10]

A Hebrew version (יש חור בדלי / "There is a hole in the bucket") was written by Israeli songwriter Dan Almagor and was recorded in 1961, sung by Yossi Banai and Yona Atari. [11]

In a 1963 (April 27th) episode of Saint Germain De Prés , Dorus (Tom Manders) sang a Dutch version of the song on television. It was later released as single Philips 327 529 JF.

In a 1966 episode of The Dean Martin Show , Dean Martin and George Gobel sang a version of the song on television. [12] It was also performed by Jim Henson as Henry and Rita Moreno as Liza for a 1976 episode of Sesame Street . [13]

Czech lyrics were written by M. Bukovič, [14] who stayed true to the English lyrics of the song and only translated it (using the names Lojza and Líza as his title) while keeping the rhyme. It was first sung by the band Fešáci in 1977 by their front man Michal Tučný. [15]

Chumbawamba included a version of one verse of this song titled "Knickers" in their 2000 album WYSIWYG. [16] [17]

The first lines are sung by a Hybrid being in the science-fiction TV series Battlestar Galactica , in the 2009 episode "Islanded in a Stream of Stars." [18] It is a reference to an eternal, unresolvable cycle, an infinite loop, which is relevant to the show's themes. [19] [20]

In the lead up to the 2022 Australian federal election, a version of the song was used by the Liberal Party of Australia in an campaign ad to attack the Australian Labor Party over their alleged deficits and paying for them with new taxes while in government. [21] The advertisement was widely ridiculed as ineffective. [22]

Related Research Articles

Battlestar Galactica is an American science fiction media franchise created by Glen A. Larson. It began with the original television series in 1978, and was followed by a short-run sequel series, Galactica 1980, a line of book adaptations, original novels, comic books, a board game, and video games. A reimagined version aired as a two-part, three-hour miniseries developed by Ronald D. Moore and David Eick in 2003, followed by a 2004 television series, which aired until 2009. A prequel series, Caprica, aired in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Williams (actor)</span> English actor (1903–1983)

Hugh Ernest Leo Williams, known professionally as John Williams, was an English stage, film and television actor. He is remembered for his role as Chief Inspector Hubbard in Alfred Hitchcock's Dial M for Murder, as the chauffeur in Billy Wilder's Sabrina, as Mr. Brogan-Moore in Witness for the Prosecution (1957) and as the second "Mr. French" on TV's Family Affair in its first season (1967).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Hatch (actor)</span> American actor, writer and producer

Richard Lawrence Hatch was an American actor, writer, and producer. Hatch began his career as a stage actor before moving on to television work in the 1970s. Hatch is best known for his role as Captain Apollo in the original Battlestar Galactica television series. He is also widely known for his role as Tom Zarek in the reimagined Battlestar Galactica.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alessandro Juliani</span> Canadian actor and singer (born 1975)

Alessandro Juliani is a Canadian actor and singer. He is notable for playing the roles of Tactical Officer Lieutenant Felix Gaeta on the Sci-Fi Channel television program Battlestar Galactica, Emil Hamilton in Smallville, Jacapo Sinclair on The CW series The 100, and Dr. Cerberus on the Netflix series Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. He is also known for voicing the character L in the English version of the anime series Death Note and its live action films, as well as several other animation projects. Juliani provided the voice of Toa Vakama of the Bionicle and later of Aaron Fox on Nexo Knights.

Battlestar Galactica is a fictional space battleship based in the science fiction television series of the same name. In the original 1978 series, it was implied there were 12 Battlestars, one for each of the Twelve Colonies. However, in the reimagined series from 2003, the colonial fleet had about 120 Battlestars by the time of the Cylons' surprise attack on the colonies. The Cylons also have large battleships that are known as Basestars.

<i>Battlestar Galactica</i> (2004 TV series) 2004 American science fiction television series

Battlestar Galactica is an American military science fiction television series, and part of the Battlestar Galactica franchise. The show was developed by Ronald D. Moore and executive produced by Moore and David Eick as a re-imagining of the 1978 Battlestar Galactica television series created by Glen A. Larson. The pilot for the series first aired as a three-hour miniseries in December 2003 on the Sci-Fi Channel, which was then followed by four regular seasons, ending its run on March 20, 2009. The cast includes Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Katee Sackhoff, Jamie Bamber, James Callis, Tricia Helfer, and Grace Park.

"33" is the first episode of the first season and the pilot episode of the reimagined military science fiction television show Battlestar Galactica, immediately following the events of the 2003 miniseries. "33" follows Galactica and its civilian fleet as they are forced to contend with constant Cylon pursuit for days without sleep; they are forced to ultimately destroy one of their own ships to foil the Cylons and earn their first respite of the series.

"Kobol's Last Gleaming" is the two-part first-season finale of the reimagined Battlestar Galactica television series.

"Flight of the Phoenix" is the ninth episode of the second season of the reimagined Battlestar Galactica television series. It aired originally on the Sci Fi Channel on September 16, 2005.

Pegasus (<i>Battlestar Galactica</i>) 10th episode of the 2nd season of Battlestar Galactica

"Pegasus" is the tenth episode of the second season of the reimagined Battlestar Galactica television series. It aired originally on the Sci Fi Channel on September 23, 2005. Following "Pegasus", the series went on hiatus until January 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knife sharpening</span> Process of grinding a knife against a hard surface

Knife sharpening is the process of making a knife or similar tool sharp by grinding against a hard, rough surface, typically a stone, or a flexible surface with hard particles, such as sandpaper. Additionally, a leather razor strop, or strop, is often used to straighten and polish an edge.

<i>The Earl and the Girl</i> Musical comedy by Seymour Hicks, Percy Greenbank and Ivan Caryll

The Earl and the Girl is a musical comedy in two acts, with a book by Seymour Hicks, lyrics by Percy Greenbank and music by Ivan Caryll. It was produced by William Greet and opened at the Adelphi Theatre in London on 10 December 1903. It transferred to the Lyric Theatre on 12 September 1904, running for a total of 371 performances. It also ran at the Casino Theatre in New York beginning on 4 November 1905 for 148 performances, starring Eddie Foy and W. H. Denny. A production toured Australia in 1906 and 1907. A revival in London in 1914 ran for a total of 107 performances, and there were later revivals and tours.

The music of the 2004 TV series Battlestar Galactica is a body of work largely credited to the composers Bear McCreary and Richard Gibbs. The music of Battlestar Galactica displays a variety of ethnic influences and generally does not conform to the "orchestral" style of many science fiction scores.

"The Bard of Armagh" is an Irish ballad. It is often attributed to Patrick Donnelly. He was made Bishop of Dromore in 1697, the same year as the enactment of the 1697 Banishment Act which was intended to clear out all Roman Catholic clergy from Ireland. Donnelly is believed to have taken the pseudonym and disguise of the travelling harper Phelim Brady. Patrick Donnelly was born in Desertcreat in Tyrone, and a slab in the graveyard there, almost worn away, is inscribed with a mitre and sceptre and what appears to be the name 'Phelim Brady'. The Irish language version of the song appears to have been lost.

<i>Battlestar Galactica: Razor</i> 2007 TV series or program

Battlestar Galactica: Razor is a television film of the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica television series. It premiered in the United States on Sci Fi, in Canada on the Space channel and in the United Kingdom on Sky One.

<i>Belafonte at Carnegie Hall</i> 1959 live album by Harry Belafonte

Belafonte at Carnegie Hall is a live double album by Harry Belafonte issued by RCA Victor. It is the first of two Belafonte Carnegie Hall albums, and was recorded on April 19 and April 20, 1959. The concerts were benefits for The New Lincoln School and Wiltwyck School, respectively. The album stayed on the charts for over three years.

Odetta's discography is large and diverse, covering over 50 years and many record labels.

"Deadlock" is the sixteenth episode in the fourth season of the reimagined Battlestar Galactica. It aired on television in the United States and Canada. The survivor count shown in the title sequence is 39,556.

"Islanded in a Stream of Stars" is the eighteenth episode in the fourth season of the reimagined Battlestar Galactica. It aired on television in the United States and Canada on March 6, 2009. The survivor count shown in the title sequence is 39,521. The Region 1 DVD release of Season 4.5 includes an extended version of this episode.

Daybreak (<i>Battlestar Galactica</i>) 19th, 20th and 21st episodes of the 4th season of Battlestar Galactica

"Daybreak" is the three-part series finale of the reimagined science fiction television series Battlestar Galactica, and are the 74th and 75th episodes overall. The episodes aired on the U.S. Sci Fi Channel and SPACE in Canada respectively on March 13 and March 20, 2009. The second part is double-length. The episodes were written by Ronald D. Moore, and directed by Michael Rymer. The Season 4.5 DVD and Blu-ray releases for Region 1 feature an extended version of the finale, which not only combines all three parts as a single episode, but also integrates it with new scenes not seen in the aired versions of either part. The survivor count shown in the title sequence for Part 1 is 39,516. The survivor count shown in the title sequence for Part 2 is 39,406. At the end of Part 2, Admiral Adama announces the survivor population at approximately 38,000.

References

Notes

  1. ↑ The name of the male questioner varies depending on the source. School music books from the 1960s and modern published works often use the name Johnny. [1] [2] Georgie is also commonly used. [3] [4]

Citations

  1. ↑ Daniel, Katinka (1973). Kodály Approach. Belwin Hills Publishing Corp. p. 28.
  2. ↑ Schiller, Pam (1998). The Values Book: teaching 16 basic values to young children. Gryphon House. p. 115.
  3. ↑ White, Newman (1962). The Frank C. Brown collection of NC folklore: vol. V: The music of the folk. Duke University Press. p. 463.
  4. ↑ Ffion Mercer Dip. c.o.t. (1984). Song Book: words for 100 popular songs. Speechmark Publishing. p. 4.
  5. ↑ "NATIONAL HOLE IN MY BUCKET DAY - May 30 - National Day Calendar". May 30, 2023.
  6. ↑ Elizabeth Mincoff-Marriage [in German] (1988). Gerhard Heilfurth [in German] (ed.). Bergliederbüchlein (Library of the Literary Association in Stuttgart)[Mountain Song Booklet]. Hildesheim: Olms. p. 62. ISBN   3-487-09040-6.
  7. ↑ "HARRY BELAFONTE | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  8. ↑ Seeger, Pete (1993). Where Have All the Flowers Gone: A Singer's Songs, Stories, Seeds, Robberies. ISBN   9781881322016.
  9. ↑ Day-Lewis, Cecil (1937). Starting Point. London: Jonathan Cape. p. 206 – via Google Books.
  10. ↑ Paine, Jocelyn (1992). The Logic Programming Tutor. Oxford: Intellect Books. p. 212. ISBN   9781871516098 . Retrieved September 26, 2014– via Google Books.
  11. ↑ Yonha Atari, Yossi Banai, Avner Hezekiahu (1961). יוסי חיזקי יונה [Yossi-Hezeki-Yonah](vinyl) (12-inch Stereo LP) (in Hebrew). Israel: Israphon. 302 AP. Retrieved May 25, 2022. The song in question was track 6, and can be heard over a picture of the album cover on YouTube, with the printed lyrics in Hebrew, as posted by the record publisher Israphon. (Another YouTube video shows a later TV performance by Yossi and Yona, with props — a damaged bucket, etc.)
  12. ↑ "George Gobel / Vikki Carr / Phil Harris". TV.com. Archived from the original on November 13, 2018. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Classic Sesame Street - Song: 'There's a Hole in the Bucket' ". YouTube . August 16, 2012. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  14. ↑ Jánský, Petr, ed. (1994). Já, písnička[Me, a song] (in Czech). Vol. I. MUSIC CHEB.
  15. ↑ Fešáci (Michal Tučný, Tomáš Linka) (October 16, 2017). "Lojza a Líza (Fešáci v Lucerně 35 let, bonus)". YouTube (in Czech). Retrieved March 29, 2023. [Webpage shows Czech lyrics.]
  16. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Album Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  17. ↑ What You See Is What You Get   liner notes.
  18. ↑ "Battlestar Galactica: Islanded in a Stream of Stars". The A.V. Club. March 6, 2009.
  19. ↑ Marc Bernardin (March 7, 2009). "'Battlestar Galactica' recap: Girl trouble". EW.com.
  20. ↑ "Battlestar Galactica Recap, Season 4, Episode 18, "Islanded in a Stream of Stars"". Slant Magazine . March 7, 2009.
  21. ↑ "There's a hole in your budget, dear Labor". YouTube . May 11, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  22. ↑ Ward, Miranda (May 22, 2022). "Why the Coalition's 'leaky bucket' campaign was such a failure". Australian Financial Review .
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.