Georgie Porgie
Encyclopedia
"Georgie Porgie" is a popular English language
nursery rhyme
. It has a Roud Folk Song Index
number of 19532.
However, the version with Georgie Porgie was known to George Bernard Shaw
(b. 1856) in his childhood and so may be at least as old.
There are various theories that link the character Georgie Porgie to historical figures including George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
(1592-1628), Charles II
(1630-1685) and George I (1660-1727), but there is no evidence to corroborate such claims.
In film
In music
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
nursery rhyme
Nursery rhyme
The term nursery rhyme is used for "traditional" poems for young children in Britain and many other countries, but usage only dates from the 19th century and in North America the older ‘Mother Goose Rhymes’ is still often used.-Lullabies:...
. It has a Roud Folk Song Index
Roud Folk Song Index
The Roud Folk Song Index is a database of 300,000 references to over 21,600 songs that have been collected from oral tradition in the English language from all over the world...
number of 19532.
Lyrics
The most common modern lyrics are:- Georgie Porgie, Puddin' and Pie,
- Kissed the girls and made them cry,
- When the boys came out to play
- Georgie Porgie ran away.
Origins and meaning
The first recorded version of the rhyme was collected by James Orchard Halliwell in the mid-nineteenth century with the lyrics:- Rowley Powley, pudding and pie,
- Kissed the girls and made them cry;
- When the girls began to cry,
- Rowly Powley runs away.
However, the version with Georgie Porgie was known to George Bernard Shaw
George Bernard Shaw
George Bernard Shaw was an Irish playwright and a co-founder of the London School of Economics. Although his first profitable writing was music and literary criticism, in which capacity he wrote many highly articulate pieces of journalism, his main talent was for drama, and he wrote more than 60...
(b. 1856) in his childhood and so may be at least as old.
There are various theories that link the character Georgie Porgie to historical figures including George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham KG was the favourite, claimed by some to be the lover, of King James I of England. Despite a very patchy political and military record, he remained at the height of royal favour for the first two years of the reign of Charles I, until he was assassinated...
(1592-1628), Charles II
Charles II of England
Charles II was monarch of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.Charles II's father, King Charles I, was executed at Whitehall on 30 January 1649, at the climax of the English Civil War...
(1630-1685) and George I (1660-1727), but there is no evidence to corroborate such claims.
Cultural references
In literature- Kaori YukiKaori Yukiis a female Japanese manga artist best known for her gothic manga such as Earl Cain, its sequel Godchild, and Angel Sanctuary. Yuki debuted in 1987 with which ran in the manga anthology Bessatsu Hana to Yume published by Hakusensha. Her work is typically serialized in one of Hakusensha's two shōjo...
's gothic manga "Godchild" features the common version of the nursery rhyme.
- Neil GaimanNeil GaimanNeil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
's short story entitled "The Case of the Four and Twenty Blackbirds" features this character.
- Roald DahlRoald DahlRoald Dahl was a British novelist, short story writer, fighter pilot and screenwriter.Born in Wales to Norwegian parents, he served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, in which he became a flying ace and intelligence agent, rising to the rank of Wing Commander...
's short story "Georgy Porgy" is about a priest and his "odd" relations with women.
- Rudyard KiplingRudyard KiplingJoseph Rudyard Kipling was an English poet, short-story writer, and novelist chiefly remembered for his celebration of British imperialism, tales and poems of British soldiers in India, and his tales for children. Kipling received the 1907 Nobel Prize for Literature...
recites the George Bernard Shaw version of the nursery rhyme as the opening lines for his short story Georgie Porgie.
- A reference is made in the play "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" by Edward AlbeeEdward AlbeeEdward Franklin Albee III is an American playwright who is best known for The Zoo Story , The Sandbox , Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? , and a rewrite of the screenplay for the unsuccessful musical version of Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's . His works are considered well-crafted, often...
when Martha says to George--"Poor Georgie-Porgie, put-upon pie [...]"
- A reference is made to the rhyme in Aldous HuxleyAldous HuxleyAldous Leonard Huxley was an English writer and one of the most prominent members of the famous Huxley family. Best known for his novels including Brave New World and a wide-ranging output of essays, Huxley also edited the magazine Oxford Poetry, and published short stories, poetry, travel...
's Brave New WorldBrave New WorldBrave New World is Aldous Huxley's fifth novel, written in 1931 and published in 1932. Set in London of AD 2540 , the novel anticipates developments in reproductive technology and sleep-learning that combine to change society. The future society is an embodiment of the ideals that form the basis of...
(1932), Chapter five:
- Orgy-porgy, Ford and fun,
- Kiss the girls and make them One.
- Boys at one with girls at peace;
- Orgy-porgy gives release.
In film
- Kiss the Girls and Make Them Die is the USUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
title of the 1966 James BondJames BondJames Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
parody Se Tutte le Donne del MondoSe Tutte le Donne del MondoSe Tutte le Donne del Mondo is a James Bond spoof movie released in 1966. Originally filmed under the title Operation Paradise from January to March 1966 in most of the world, the English title was If All the Women in the World. It was released in the U.S...
. - Kiss the GirlsKiss the GirlsKiss the Girls is a psychological thriller novel by American writer James Patterson, the second to star his recurrent character Alex Cross, an African-American psychologist.-Plot summary:...
is the title of a 1995 James PattersonJames PattersonJames B. Patterson is an American author of thriller novels, largely known for his series about American psychologist Alex Cross...
detective novel, adapted as a film with Morgan FreemanMorgan FreemanMorgan Freeman is an American actor, film director, aviator and narrator. He is noted for his reserved demeanor and authoritative speaking voice. Freeman has received Academy Award nominations for his performances in Street Smart, Driving Miss Daisy, The Shawshank Redemption and Invictus and won...
in the major role in 1997.
In music
- The Reggae singjaySingjaySingjaying is a Jamaican style of reggae vocals combining toasting and singing in an elastic format that encourages rhythmically compelling and texturally impressive vocal embellishments. The performer is called singjay, a combination of singer and deejay.The fusion of singing and deejaying...
artist Eek-a-MouseEek-a-MouseEek-A-Mouse is a Jamaican reggae musician. He is one of the early artists to be described as a "singjay".-Biography:...
recorded a song called "Georgie Porgie" for his 1991 album "Wa-Do-Dem (Remastered)" originally released in 1982. The chorus to the song contains the most common modern lyrics in full.
- The rock group TotoToto (band)Toto is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1977. The group currently consists of Joseph Williams , David Paich , Steve Porcaro , Steve Lukather , Mike Porcaro , and Simon Phillips . Toto is known for a musical style that combines elements of pop, rock, soul, funk, progressive rock, hard...
recorded a song called "Georgy PorgyGeorgy Porgy (song)For other uses, see Georgy Porgy"Georgy Porgy" is a song written by David Paich, released on Toto's self-titled debut album in 1978. It was released as a single and charted on the Billboard Hot 100 as well as on both the R&B and the Dance charts.The lead vocals are performed by guitarist Steve...
" on its 1978 debut albumToto (album)Toto is the first studio album by the American band Toto. It was released in 1978 and includes the hit singles "Hold the Line", "I'll Supply the Love" and "Georgy Porgy", all three of which made it into the top 50 in the USA. "Hold the Line" spent six weeks in the Top 10, and reached number 14 in...
that includes lines from the nursery rhyme. The song, which was written by Toto keyboard player David PaichDavid PaichDavid Frank Paich is a session musician, keyboard player, recording producer, arranger, vocalist and main composer of the Los Angeles-based rock/pop band Toto. David is the son of the late jazz composer, musician, and arranger Marty Paich...
http://www.post-lyrics.com/5-TOTO-PAST_TO_PRESENT_HITS.html, was covered in 1999 by Eric BenétEric BenétEric Benét, is an American singer. His duet with Tamia, "Spend My Life With You" was a number one song for three weeks on the US Billboard R&B chart and was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2000....
with Faith EvansFaith EvansFaith Renée Evans is an American singer-songwriter, recording artist, record producer, actress and author. Born in Florida and raised in New Jersey, Evans relocated to Los Angeles during 1993 for a career with the music business. After working as a backing vocalist for Al B...
on Benét's "A Day in the Life" album.
- The rock band ClutchClutch (band)Clutch is an American rock band from Germantown, Maryland, formed in 1990. The band's first release was an EP entitled Pitchfork, which debuted in October 1990. Their first studio album, Transnational Speedway League, was released three years later in 1993. To date, Clutch has released nine studio...
recorded a song called "Juggernaut" for their 1991 EP PitchforkPitchfork (album)Pitchfork is the first EP by rock band Clutch. It was released on vinyl in October 1991, and was re-released on CD in 1999. The EP also formed the first four songs of the band's 2005 album, Pitchfork & Lost Needles.-Track listing:...
which quotes the Huxley lines above.
- Rapper MC LyteMC LyteMC Lyte is an American rapper who first gained fame in the late-1980s becoming the first solo female rapper to release a full album with 1988's critically acclaimed Lyte as a Rock.-Early life:...
charted with the song "Poor Georgie" in 1991.
- On the Highball With The Devil CD (1996) by Les ClaypoolLes ClaypoolLeslie Edward "Les" Claypool is an American musician and writer, best known as the lead vocalist and bassist in the band Primus. Claypool's playing style on the electric bass mixes tapping, flamenco-like strumming, whammy bar bends and slapping.Claypool has also self produced and engineered his...
there is a song 'George E. Porge' which goes: 'But George E. Porge, he's kissed the girls and felt he's rather kiss the boys. And speculates if now is not the time'.
- The Deep South Rapper Devin the Dude also recorded a song called "Georgy" on his album entitled The Dude, released in 1998. The chorus to the song is the refrain, "Georgie, Georgie, Kissed the girls and made them cry."
- 2 Live Crew2 Live Crew2 Live Crew was a hip hop group from Miami, Florida. They caused considerable controversy with the sexual themes in their work, particularly on their 1989 album As Nasty As They Wanna Be.- Early career :...
references Georgie Porgie in the lyrics of "Me So HornyMe So Horny"Me So Horny" is a song by rap group 2 Live Crew on their album As Nasty As They Wanna Be. It reached #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart and #26 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1989 despite lack of airplay due to the controversial nature of the lyrics...
" (from their album As Nasty As They Wanna BeAs Nasty As They Wanna BeAs Nasty As They Wanna Be is the third album by Miami rap group 2 Live Crew. It was released in 1989, and became their largest seller, going 2x Platinum. In 1990, United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida ruled that the album was legally obscene; this ruling was later...
, released in 1989): 'I'm just like that man they call Georgie Puddin' Pie/ I **** all the girls and I make 'em cry/ I'm like a dog in heat, a freak without warning/ I have an appetite for sex, cause me so horny'.
- DJ ScrewDJ ScrewRobert Earl "DJ Screw" Davis, Jr. was a Houston, Texas-based DJ. He was known as a central figure in the Houston hip-hop community and was the creator of the now-famous Chopped and Screwed DJ technique...
and his brother DJ Lil Randy appear on a long freestyle track with the name "Georgie Porgie" on one of the many Screw Tapes