Origin: 'Stick out your can (for the) garbage man'

Subject: Garbage man?
From: GUEST,Lou
Date: 24 Oct 01 - 11:20 PM

Wandering down memory lane, I thought of a sweet, sentimental song my dear old mother used to sing when I was a little bitty tyke. I wonder if anyone has heard this song and knows all the lyrics. All I can remember is one phrase:

"Stick out your can, here comes the garbage man."

Does that ring a bell for anyone?

Subject: RE: Garbage man?
From: 53
Date: 24 Oct 01 - 11:22 PM

no.

Subject: RE: Garbage man?
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Oct 01 - 12:02 AM

Hi, Lou, a lot of our folks are just getting back from a big todo over the weekend. If you hang in there, I am sure someone will come in here and figure something out, maybe even know it.

Welcome to the Mudcat!

kat

Subject: RE: Garbage man?
From: Stewie
Date: 25 Oct 01 - 01:32 AM

'Garbage Man Blues' was recorded by western swing group Milton Brown and His Musical Brownies in 1934. It was basically instrumental - little more than the line you quote, apart from some scat. There may be other versions with more lyrics, but I haven't heard them.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Garbage man?
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 25 Oct 01 - 03:56 AM

Stewie's nailed it as usual, it always reminds me of many happy hours in the 100 Club in London'd Oxford Street in the '70s, listening to Champion Jack Dupree do this. I think there was a verse but mostly chorus and scat.
RtS

Subject: RE: Garbage man?
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 25 Oct 01 - 07:53 AM

Toronto based Steven C. Barr and the Red Rockets perform this regularly. The next time I see Steven I'll get the lyrics.

Rory Gallagher used to do an obscure Muddy Waters song about a Garbage Man. It started

My baby left me, she ran off with the Garbage Man (x2)
Now I ain't got nobody,
to take away my trash can.

Subject: RE: Garbage man?
From: Stewie
Date: 25 Oct 01 - 07:25 PM

Steve, on the blues side, there is also 'Garbage Man Blues' by blues mandolinist, Willie Hatcher. It begins: 'I was down in the alley, eating from a garbage can'. It may be found on Various Artists 'Mandolin Blues' Testament TCD 6004.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Garbage man?
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 26 Oct 01 - 01:35 AM

Here's some information I've gathered from various places on the Internet:

Kay Starr recorded GARBAGE CAN BLUES in 1945 or '46. The credited writers were Kay Starr and her manager, Ted Yerxa. I was unable to find the complete lyrics, but I found this quote: [The garbage man has] "a face like a monkey, a body like a frog but when he starts to love, oh, holler!"

Uncle Dave Macon recorded a song called THAT'S WHERE MY MONEY GOES, which has the alternate title, GARBAGE CAN BLUES.

Milton Brown and his Musical Brownies recorded a western swing song called GARBAGE MAN BLUES.

Sylvester Kimbrough also recorded a GARBAGE CAN BLUES in 1929.

Buddy Guy recorded a GARBAGE MAN BLUES but the lyrics that I found do NOT contain the phrase "stick out your can."

Roscoe Holland recorded STICK OUT YOUR CAN.

A punk band called The Cramps recorded GARBAGEMAN, which contains the line "so stick out your can 'cause I'm your garbageman."

Blues musician Bob Margolin has a 1999 album called "Hold Me to It" which contains a song which he wrote called STICK OUT YOUR CAN.

The Rev. Billy C. Wirtz, who apparently specializes in humor, has a 1996 album called "Songs of Faith and Inflammation," which contains STICK OUT YOUR CAN, writer not identified.

Scatman Crothers is credited with a quote, "Stick Out Your Can, Here Come Da Garbage Man!"

Jerry Colonna recorded a novelty song called HECTOR, THE GARBAGE COLLECTOR which allegedly contains the line "Stick out your can for the garbage man."

I have also found the phrase "Stick out your can [etc.]" in contexts that did not involve music. I conclude that it is a widely known catch phrase that may have been used in song lyrics by various songwriters at different times.

Subject: RE: Garbage man?
From: GUEST,Michele
Date: 07 Nov 09 - 10:51 AM

Check out Bob Margolin's amazing rockin, bluesy version of this song! CD can be purchased on amazon...

Subject: RE: Garbage man?
From: Cool Beans
Date: 07 Nov 09 - 11:32 AM

Thanks, Jim Dixon! I've been looking for "Hector the Garbage Collector" for years. Now I know where to direct my search.

Subject: RE: Garbage man?
From: GUEST,Jim Finnigan
Date: 04 Mar 10 - 11:23 AM

The Lyric in question is,

Stick out your can for the scavenger man
Have you any old potato peels?
I know how an old tomato feels
Here comes Hector the Garbage Man

I had the 78 when I was a little boy..

Subject: RE: Garbage man?
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 04 Mar 10 - 11:27 AM

Reminds me of a comic network radio show, many years ago, featuring Ma and Pa Kettle, burlesqued mountaineers/hillbillies/rednecks.

Maw:    Paw, the garbage man's here!

Paw:    Tell 'im to leave half a pail!

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: Lyr Add: GARBAGE MAN BLUES (from Milton Brown)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 24 Mar 10 - 12:56 PM

Four versions of this song can be heard at PhilXMilstein.com. (A version by the Harlem Hamfats is also mentioned, but the link doesn't work.)

GARBAGE MAN BLUES
As sung by Milton Brown and his Musical Brownies - Bluebird 5558, 1934.
http://philxmilstein.com/probe/tracks/MiltonBrown-GarbageManBlues.mp3

[Knocking sound]
[Spoken, male voice] Lady, get out your can. Here comes your garbage man.
[Spoken, falsetto voice] Get away f'm me, man. I ain't got no garbage.

Oh, get out your can. Here comes the garbage man.
Oh-oh, get out your can. Here comes the garbage man.
Oh, get out your can. Here comes the garbage man.

[Scat singing – call and response]
[Fiddle solo]

Oh, get out your can. Here comes your garbage man. (This morning.)
Oh, get out your can. Here comes the garbage man. (This evening.)
Oh, set out your can. Here's your garbage man.

[Banjo solo]

Oh, get out your can. Here comes the garbage man. (This morning.)
Oh, get out your can. Here's your garbage man. (This evening.)
Oh, set out your can. Here's your garbage man.

[Guitar solo]

Oh, set out your can. Here's your garbage man. (This morning.)
Get out your can. Here's your garbage man. (This evening.)
Oh, set out your can. Here comes the garbage man.

[Piano solo]

Oh, set out your can. Here comes the garbage man. (This morning.)
Oh-oh, get out your can. Here's your garbage man. (This evening.)
Oh, set out your can. Here's your garbage man.
[Scat singing – call and response]
Oh, get out your can. (Oh, get out your can.)
Here's your garbage man. (Here's your garbage man.)

Subject: Lyr Add: GARBAGE MAN BLUES (from Roy Newman)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 24 Mar 10 - 12:58 PM

GARBAGE MAN BLUES
As sung by Roy Newman & His Boys – Vocalion 2994, 1935
http://philxmilstein.com/probe/tracks/RoyNewman-GarbageManBlues.mp3

SPOKEN, MALE VOICE: Lady, here's your garbage man out here.
SPOKEN, FALSETTO VOICE: Man, I don't need no garbage today.

1. Oh, get out your can. Here comes the garbage man.
Get out your can. Here comes the garbage man.
Oh, get out your can. Here's your garbage man.
(Scat singing – call and response)
Oh, get out your can. Here's your garbage man.

REPEAT 1.

2. Oh, get out your can. Here comes the reefer man.
Get out your can. Here comes the reefer man.
Oh, get out your can. Here's that reefer man.
(Scat singing – call and response)
Oh, get out your can. Here's that reefer man.

Subject: Lyr Add: GARBAGE MAN (from The Four Aces)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 24 Mar 10 - 01:01 PM

GARBAGE MAN
As sung by The Four Aces – Trilon 144, 1946.
http://philxmilstein.com/probe/tracks/TheFourAces-GarbageMan.mp3

Stick out your can. Here comes the garbage man. (3x)

1. A little banty rooster told the little banty hen:
"You didn't stay home last night. Now where have you been?"
CHORUS: Yes, here comes the garbage man.
Stick out your can. Here comes the garbage man.

2. I'm not the plumber or the plumber's son,
But I'll plug that hole until the plumber comes. CHORUS

3. A nickel's a nickel and a dime's a dime.
If you show me yours, I'll show you mine. CHORUS

4. I'm not the butcher or the butcher's son,
But I'll handle that meat until the butcher comes. CHORUS

5. Up that hill I pushed a cart.
I pushed so hard you could hear me sneeze. CHORUS

6. Roses are red and vi'lets need pluckin'.
I'm sweet sixteen an' I'm ready for college. CHORUS

Subject: Lyr Add: STICK OUT YOUR CAN (from Roscoe Holland)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 24 Mar 10 - 01:03 PM

STICK OUT YOUR CAN
As sung by Roscoe Holland - LP "From a Piece" (Dooto 812, 1961)
http://philxmilstein.com/probe/tracks/RoscoeHolland-StickOutYourCan.mp3

Stick out your can. Here come the garbage man. (3x)

The little red hen told the little red duck,
"Say, you sure are ugly but you sure can dance."
Stick out your can. Here come the garbage man. (2x)

My mama's in the bed. Papa's in jail.
Sister's on the corner hollerin' "Petitions for sale."
Stick out your can. Here come the garbage man. (2x)

I'm not a butcher and I'm not a butcher's son,
But I can trim a little meat until the butcher-boy comes.
Stick out your can. Here come the garbage man. (2x)

I'm not a nutcracker or nutcracker's son,
But I can pop some nuts until the nutcracker comes.
Stick out your can. Here come the garbage man. (2x)

I'm gonna save my nickels, put 'em in a glass.
I'm goin' downtown. I'm gonna buy me some apples.
Stick out your can. Here come the garbage man. (2x)

Up the hill I pushed a cart.
I pushed so hard you could hear me sneeze.
Stick out your can. Here come the garbage man. (2x)

Subject: RE: Origin: 'Stick out your can (for the) garbage man'
From: RWilhelm
Date: 24 Mar 10 - 02:56 PM

Also, The Harlem Hamfats' "The Garbage Man"

Subject: RE: Origin: 'Stick out your can (for the) garbage man'
From: pdq
Date: 24 Mar 10 - 03:30 PM

"As sung by The Four Aces – Trilon 144, 1946."

This is not the Pop vocal group that did "Three Coins in the Fountain" and "Stranger in Paradise" in the 1950s.

Subject: RE: Origin: 'Stick out your can (for the) garbage
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Mar 10 - 10:35 PM

I'm not sure we've quite nailed this on yet.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Origin: 'Stick out your can (for the) garbage man'
From: pdq
Date: 24 Mar 10 - 10:56 PM

The Harlem Hamfats were formed in 1936, two years after Milton Brown released his version of this song.

Subject: RE: Origin: 'Stick out your can (for the) garbage man'
From: RWilhelm
Date: 25 Mar 10 - 11:58 AM

Not saying they were first, just in the queue.

Subject: RE: Origin: 'Stick out your can (for the) garbage man'
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 25 Mar 10 - 01:02 PM

The piece was originally called New Call of the Freaks. It was written by Paul Barbarin, drummer with the Luis Russell orchestra and recorded by the Russell orchestra 6th September 1929. You can hear their recording at http://www.publicdomain2ten.com/2009/09/luis-russell-his-orchestra-the-new-call-of-the-freaks-mp3/


It seems to have been a (presumably) derisory dig at male homosexuality; can being a euphemism for the anus, and garbage man being a sodomite.

Subject: RE: Origin: 'Stick out your can (for the) garbage man'
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 26 Mar 10 - 07:50 AM

I should have added that freak was a 1920s euphemism for a male homosexual.

Subject: RE: Origin: 'Stick out your can (for the) garbage man'
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 09:47 AM

I'm Hector, the Garbage Collector. I sneak up your alley at night. So stick out your can for the scavenger man, I'm Hector the Garbage Collector!

Subject: RE: Origin: 'Stick out your can (for the) garbage man'
From: GUEST,Ken Cooper
Date: 28 Apr 11 - 01:18 PM

I had a 78rpm record of Jerry Colonna's when just a youngster. On one side was "You're My Everything" and on the other, "Hector the Garbage Collector" The line, as I recall it was, "So stick out your can for the SCAVANGER man"

Subject: RE: Origin: 'Stick out your can (for the) garbage man'
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 02 Nov 11 - 08:24 PM

thers an awesome version calles garbage man by the gallus brothers

Subject: Lyr Add: GARBAGE MAN (Muddy Waters)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 02 Nov 11 - 09:34 PM

My transcription, with a couple of gaps:


GARBAGE MAN
As sung by Muddy Waters on "In Concert" (1999)

My baby, she run away with the garbage man.
Yeah, my baby, she run away with the garbage man.
Well, I need you so bad, little girl, so ... my garbage can.

I don't know where she's been, and I don't know where she going.
Yeah, I don't know where this woman been, and I don't know where she going.
Please come back to me ... my garbage can is overflowing.

My baby, she run away with my hard-earned cash.
Well, my woman, she run away with my hard-earned cash.
Well, I don't need your money, girl. I need you so you can empty my trash.

Subject: RE: Origin: 'Stick out your can (for the) garbage man'
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 03 Nov 11 - 06:27 AM

From a slightly different version - Muddy Waters - Garbage Man:

so she can empty my garbage can...
because my garbage can ...

Mick

Subject: RE: Origin: 'Stick out your can (for the) garbage man'
From: GUEST,Alexander
Date: 15 Dec 11 - 04:19 PM

Hi. I wonder if anyone can tell me who's singing the version that I have? Taped it off the radio in the 1980's. Here it is:
http://www.watzatsong.com/EN/my-query/326780.html

Subject: RE: Origin: 'Stick out your can (for the) garbage man'
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Oct 12 - 04:44 AM

This is from "Hector the Garbage Collector",a novelty song by Jerry Colonna. Another lyric fragment: His nose knows no pathway of roses...

Subject: RE: Origin: 'Stick out your can (for the) garbage man'
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Nov 13 - 11:49 AM

Carlton Record Corporation, Carlton Record Corporation         1962        

by the Harvard Dunster Dunces

Subject: RE: Origin: 'Stick out your can (for the) garbage man'
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 07 Nov 13 - 02:31 PM

It would be funnier if it were "Dumpster Dunces."

Subject: RE: Origin: 'Stick out your can (for the) garbage man'
From: Ron Davies
Date: 07 Nov 13 - 11:32 PM

In Milton Brown's version the first verse is totally out of tune with the instruments.

I think that just makes it hilarious--I love it when two people or two groups each insist on sticking to two separate keys even though any listener can tell it's a total clash.

Of course by the second verse they have agreed on a key.

Subject: RE: Origin: 'Stick out your can (for the) garbage man'
From: Ron Davies
Date: 08 Nov 13 - 06:39 PM

And of course two keys at the same time was part of Ives' stock in trade.   But it sure usually sounds weird.   And ain't easy to sing.

Subject: RE: Origin: 'Stick out your can (for the) garbage man'
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Nov 13 - 02:09 PM

How to unzip Mixstein's zipper?!?!?!

~S~

Subject: Lyr Add: GARBAGE MAN BLUES (Harlem Hamfats)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 Nov 13 - 07:39 PM

On Phil X. Milstein's website, the link to the Harlem Hamfat's version of GARBAGE MAN BLUES now works. Click here to go directly to his MP3 file. Here's my transcription:

GARBAGE MAN BLUES
As recorded by The Harlem Hamfats, Decca 7229, 1936.

[Spoken, male voices] Knock, knock!
[spoken, falsetto voice] Who's there?
[Spoken, male voice] Stick out your can; this is the garbage, the garbage man.
[Spoken, falsetto voice] Can you take it?
[Spoken, male voices] Yeah, man! Yeah, man!

Stick out your can; here come the garbage man.
Stick out your can; here come the garbage man.
Ain't nobody stick it out like you can.

[The rest of the recording is instrumental with a bit of scat singing.]

Subject: RE: Origin: 'Stick out your can (for the) garbage man'
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Nov 14 - 09:14 PM

look for this every now and then
was totally stoned out listening to the local kollige radio station
song started of with just a voice saying-stick out yo can momma cause hea come de garbage man
well didnt stop laffing at the end when they gave out who did it and all but it was definitely an older song and was pretty good for old off the chart blues