Lyrics: "Abalone Song"

Abalone is now expensive because as is the case with many sea-creatures, there are far fewer of them than there was in the past.

But a hundred years ago in Carmel abalone was free for the taking - however they couldn't just pick them up - abalone are strong - abalone really stick to their rock.

And abalone are tough.

To be chewable, abalone must be pounded and pounded and pounded.  

While pounding their free abalone, Carmel's early Bohemians would chant the "improvised" abalone song.

The "tune" is constant - never changes BUT the lyrics changed constantly.

It was a game for all the Bohemians to come up with their own lyrics.

1st line = 2 rhyming words

2nd line ends with word that rhymes with abalone

3rd line = 2 rhyming words

4th line MUST end with the word abalone.

A few of the many variations:

In Monterey the squid they say,

is tender as baloney.
But here I'll pound a little round,
of tough old abalone.

Oh some folks boast of quail on toast,

because they think it's tony.
But I'm content to owe my rent,
and live on abalone.

Oh some like ham and some like lamb,

and some like macaroni.
But bring me in a pail of gin,
and a tub of abalone.

Some stick to biz, some flirt with Liz,

down on the sands of Coney.
But we by hell, stay in Carmel,
and whang the abalone.