The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

TOPNOTCHER

I SAY TO MEINSELF, WAS IST DAS HEIR?
DAS IST MEIN TOPNOTCHER (TOP OF THE HEAD)
JA, MAMA DEAR.
TOPNOTCHER, TOPNOTCHER, JA MAMA DEAR.
THAT'S WHAT I LEARN IN MEIN SCHOOL, JAWOHL.

[THIS REPEATED FOR VARIOUS PARTS OF THE BODY UNTIL AT THE END WE GET:]
I SAY TO MEINSELF, WAS IST DAS HEIR?
DAS IST MEIN BREADBASKET (STOMACH), JA MAMA DEAR.
BREADBASKET
CHEST-PROTECTOR (CHEST)
RUBBER-NECKER (NECK)
COOKIE-DUSTER (CHIN)
BULL-SHOOTER (MOUTH)
SOUP-STRAINER (MOUSTACHE)
SNOT-BLOWER (NOSE)
EYE-BLINKER (EYES)
SWEAT-BROWSER (FOREHEAD)
TOPNOTCHER (TOP OF THE HEAD)
JA,MAMA DEAR,
THAT'S WHAT I LEARN IN MEIN SCHOOL, JAWOHL!

Submitter comment:

THIS IS A SONG SUNG BY BOY SCOUTS AT CAMPFIRES. IT IS AN
ACCUMULATIVE SONG LIKE "OLD MAC DONALD" AND IT INCLUDES
THE GESTURE OF POINTING TO THE VARIOUS PARTS OF THE BODY WHICH ARE
REFERRED TO. IT ALSO INCLUDES A PRETENDED GERMAN ACCENT.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are the same person.
 

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOY SCOUTS ; REMEMBERED