I searched high and low for a video clip of the great Duke aka John Wayne singing "Tit Willow" in The Shootist, but no such luck. Darn. It's so incredibly sweet. Anyway, the original "Tit Willow" is sung by the character Ko-Ko in Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera, The Mikado, which opened in London on March 14, 1885. It ran at the Savoy Theatre for 672 performances, the second longest run for any work of musical theater. And just so you know, a "willow tit" is a small bird, with a gray-brown body and black crown, that lives in the marshy woodlands of Europe, innocently enough. Below are two of my favorite renditions of "Tit Willow", performed in the first video by the charming TV brothers, Frasier (I had the hugest crush) and Niles Crane. By the way, did you know that Frasier was a spin off from the sitcom Cheers, and that it ran for eleven seasons? I loved the witty comedy and sparkling chemistry between the characters. And the second clip by the delightful Rowlf and Sam Eagle, who need no introductions.On a tree by a river a little tom-tit
Sang "Willow, tit willow, tit willow"
And I said to him, "Dicky-bird, why do you sit
Singing 'Willow, tit willow, tit willow'"
"Is it weakness of intellect, birdie?"
I cried "Or a rather tough worm in your little inside"
With a shake of his poor little head,
he replied "Oh, willow, tit willow, tit willow!"
He slapped at his chest, as he sat on that bough
Singing "Willow, tit willow, tit willow"
And a cold perspiration bespangled his brow
Oh, willow, tit willow, tit willow
He sobbed and he sighed, and a gurgle he gave
Then he plunged himself into the billowy wave
And an echo arose from the suicide's grave
"Oh, willow, tit willow, tit willow"
Now I feel just as sure as I'm sure that my name
Isn't Willow, tit willow, tit willow
That 'twas blighted affection that made him exclaim
"Oh, willow, tit willow, tit willow"
And if you remain callous and obdurate, I
Shall perish as he did, and you will know why
Though I probably shall not exclaim as I die
"Oh, willow, tit willow, tit willow"
