Queen's Park Ranger
Posted by Erich Shelton on Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Under: Poetry
For one to fully understand the below poem, you have to be acquainted with Cockney rhyming slang. It is said the true Londoners live within a mile of the Bow Bells and it is in this area that rhyming slang developed. Cockney rhyming slang has uncertain roots. One popular belief was that it was once spoken by the thieves of London. It would certainly have been a very effective code, being incomprehensible to the authorities or any eavesdroppers who were not familiar with the slang. There are other stories or possibilities but it has always fascinated me. The bulleted list will aid you in understanding the poem. It is even better appreciated when you speak like Liza Doolittle! Enjoy!
While sittin’ on me ol’ pineapple just
returning from a small bo-peep,
I ‘erd a box outside me ‘enry,
so decided to ‘ave a little peek.
It was a Queen’s Park Ranger,
drinking a Salmon and Trout.
‘e looked like ‘e was Oliver Twist;
just then ‘e began to shout.
“O’i china, ‘ave you seen me trouble?”
as he wiped at his biscuit tin.
‘e offered me a couple a tiddley,
so I told ‘im to come in.
“So ye ain’t seen me love and kisses.
She was talking to this whistle n’ flute.
I think ‘es a right wooden plank,
and she tho’t the bugga was cute.
‘round the Johnnie they scurried,
‘im with ‘is big three card trick,
believe you me, I know me Duchess...
she loves a good ‘ampton Wick.”
We ‘ad a giraffe and a good chin wag
and several more black and tan.
As ‘e left I wished ‘im the best Friar Tuck
and then ‘e grabbed me German bands,
“If ‘n I don’t find the ol’ kick,” said he,
“can I come back for Lilly and Skinner?”
I smiled with a grin, now ‘cross me face,
“Certainly mate - ‘ats a winner.
- biscuit tin - chin
- black and tan - Guiness
- bo-peep - sleep
- box of toys - noise
- china plate - mate
- Duchess of Fife - wife
- Friar Tuck - luck
- German bands - hands
- giraffe - laugh
- Hampton Wick - prick
- Henry Moore - door
- Johnnie Horner - corner
- kick start - tart
- biscuit tin - chin
- black and tan - Guiness
- bo-peep - sleep
- box of toys - noise
- china plate - mate
- Duchess of Fife - wife
- Friar Tuck - luck
- German bands - hands
- giraffe - laugh
- Hampton Wick - prick
- Henry Moore - door
- Johnnie Horner - corner
- kick start - tart
- Lilly and Skinner - dinner
- love and kisses - missus
- Oliver Twist - pissed (drunk)
- pineapple chunk - bunk (bed)
- Queen’s Park Ranger - stranger
- Salmon and Trout - stout (beer)
- three card trick - dick
- tiddley winks - drinks
- trouble and strife - wife
- whistle and flute - suit
- wooden plank - Yank (American)
While sittin’ on me ol’ pineapple just
returning from a small bo-peep,
I ‘erd a box outside me ‘enry,
so decided to ‘ave a little peek.
It was a Queen’s Park Ranger,
drinking a Salmon and Trout.
‘e looked like ‘e was Oliver Twist;
just then ‘e began to shout.
“O’i china, ‘ave you seen me trouble?”
as he wiped at his biscuit tin.
‘e offered me a couple a tiddley,
so I told ‘im to come in.
“So ye ain’t seen me love and kisses.
She was talking to this whistle n’ flute.
I think ‘es a right wooden plank,
and she tho’t the bugga was cute.
‘round the Johnnie they scurried,
‘im with ‘is big three card trick,
believe you me, I know me Duchess...
she loves a good ‘ampton Wick.”
We ‘ad a giraffe and a good chin wag
and several more black and tan.
As ‘e left I wished ‘im the best Friar Tuck
and then ‘e grabbed me German bands,
“If ‘n I don’t find the ol’ kick,” said he,
“can I come back for Lilly and Skinner?”
I smiled with a grin, now ‘cross me face,
“Certainly mate - ‘ats a winner.
In : Poetry
Tags: humour
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I currently teach graphic design and illustration at the University of Southern Indiana. I really love teaching and the challenges which this provides me. It not only keeps me young, but forces me to be that ongoing learner; sometimes referred to as a life-long learner. This goal of continuing to learn as finally brought me back to the role as a student as well. Some years ago I started and MFA, but due to an automobile accident was unable to complete it.
I have just been accepted as a student at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco and will finally be able to work on the MFA. The great thing is I can continue working at USI and will visit the AAU in the summer. The rest of the time I am able to take my courses online.
Like technology and life, it is constantly changing and evolving. What a joy to be part of it all!
