Tenderness and Thyme

This week for Song Lyric Sunday the theme is to find a song that mentions a spice.

Hmm… when I thought about cooking songs, the theme song for Milton the Monster immediately came to mind. This show ran 1965 – 68. It’s about a Frankenstein-like monster created in a spooky looking mansion by a mad professor. At a key moment in the process though, Professor Weirdo’s elbow is bumped and too much “Tincture of Tenderness” goes in. The result — a very goofy monster named Milton. I still can sing every word of the intro song.

Is Tincture of Tenderness a spice? It certainly adds “flavor.” Honestly, a lot of folks these days could use an elbow-bump of it.

Narrator:
On top of old Horror Hill, in a secret laboratory
Professor Weirdo and Count Kook were in their monstrous glory

Professor Weirdo:
Six drops of The Essence of Terror
Five drops of Sinister Sauce

Count Kook:
When the stirring’s done, may I lick the spoon?

Professor Weirdo:
Of course! A-ha! Of course!
Now for the Tincture of Tenderness
But I must use only a touch
For without a touch of tenderness
It might destroy me…

[Kook accidentally knocks Weirdo’s arm]

Professor Weirdo:
…Oops! Too much!
Better hold your breath, it’s starting to tick!

Count Kook:
Better hold my hand, I’m feeling sick!

[the monster arises]

Milton the Monster:
Hello, Daddy!

Professor Weirdo:
What have I done?

Milton the Monster:
I’m Milton, your brand new son!

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The other song that came to mind was “Wild Mountain Thyme.” Below is a video of Kate Rusby — whose voice is GORGEOUS — singing this traditional irish/Scottish song. In the 18th century, poet Robert Tannahill wrote “The Braes of Balquhither.” Then, in the 1950s, Belfast musician Francis McPeake adapted these lyrics and melody into the version known today. The song goes by many names — “Wild Mountain Thyme”, “Blooming Heather”, “Purple Heather”, and “Will Ye Go, Lassie, Go.”

I know — thyme is an herb, not a spice. You’ll have to agree, though, that this is a lovely song.

Lyrics:
Oh, the summer time is coming,
And the trees are sweetly blooming,
And the wild mountain thyme
Grows around the blooming heather.

Will you go, lassie, will you go?
And we’ll all go together
To pull wild mountain thyme
All around the blooming heather,
Will you go, lassie, go?

I will build my love a bower
By yon clear and crystal fountain,
And all around the bower,
I’ll pile flowers from the mountain.

I will roam the country o’er
Through that dark land so dreary;
And all the spoils I find,
I’ll bring to my darling dearie.

If my true love, she won’t have me,
I will surely find another
To pull wild mountain thyme
All around the blooming heather.

Oh, the summertime is coming
And thre trees are blooming
And the wild mountain thyme
Grows around the blooming heather.