Jake the Peg

About Jake the Peg

"Jake the Peg" is the title of a comedic song about a fictional three-legged man performed by Rolf Harris and released as a single in 1965. The song was adapted in 1965 from a version performed by Frank Roosen (a Dutch performer from Vancouver, Canada). The original Dutch party skit was "(Ik ben) van der Steen". In a 2004 poll Harris's version was voted the fourth best Australian single of all time. Harris would perform the song with the aid of a theatrical prop leg. June Whitfield reports, in her autobiography And June Whitfield, that she used to watch Harris' performance of the number on stage from the wings, as she waited to follow him, and could not tell during the performance which of his three legs was the prop. Harris wore a long coat that came down to the knees, and apparently had three identical legs. He would walk around the stage putting his middle foot forward, and then his two side feet, and at times would also stand on his middle leg and stick both outer legs out. While he was moving around the stage he sang the song, which told of his life with three legs. more »

Year:

2003

3:48

103 Views

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[Chorus:] 
I'm Jake the Peg, diddle-iddle-iddle-um 
With my extra leg, diddle-iddle-iddle-um 
Wherever I go through rain and snow 
The people always let me know 
There's Jake the peg, diddle-iddle-iddle-um 
With his extra leg, diddle-iddle-iddle 

The day that I born (oh boy) my father nearly died 
He couldn't get my nappies on, how matter how he tried 
'cause I was born with an extra leg, and since that day begun 
I had to learn to stand on my own three feet 
Believe me that's no fun 

[Chorus] 

I had a dreadful childhood really, I s'pose I shouldn't moan 
Each time they had a three legged race, I won it on me own 
And also I got popular, when came the time for cricket 
They used to roll my trousers up 
And use me for the wicket 

[Chorus] 

I was a dreadful scholar, I found all the lessons hard 
The only thing I knew for sure, was three feet make a yard 
To count to ten I used me fingers, if I needed more 
By getting my shoes and socks off 
I could count to twenty four 

I'm Jake the [stops to count] 

...to twenty five 

I'm Jake the peg, diddle-iddle-iddle-um 
With my extra leg, diddle-iddle-iddle-um 
Whatever I did they said was false 
They said "quick march" I did the quick waltz 
Then they shouted at me "put your best foot forward" - but which foot? 
I said "it's very fine for you, you only got a choice of two" 
But me, I'm Jake the Peg, diddle-iddle-iddle-um 
With the extra leg... diddle-iddle-iddle-um

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

Rolf Harris

Rolf Harris, AO, CBE (born 30 March 1930) is an Australian entertainer. He is a musician, a singer-songwriter, a composer, a painter, and a television personality. He is also a covicted paedophile. more »

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