"Cod Liver Oil an the Orange Juice" is a Scottish folk song written by Ron Clark and Carl MacDougall. Scottish folk singer Hamish Imlach and released in 1966.
The song tells the story of Hairy Mary, a popular Glasgow street character and her dalliance with the song's unnamed protagonist, known only as The Hard Man.
According to the song, the protagonist meets Hairy Mary in the Dennistoun Palais, a dance hall, and after numerous attempts to woo her, finally succeeds. It is implied that Hairy Mary becomes pregnant as a result of the encounter, whilst The Hard Man joins the French Foreign Legion.
The song was banned by the BBC for a short time due to its innuendoes and possible erotic content.
Irish band The Mary Wallopers released a version of the song in 2022.
References
- Originally written by Clark and McDougall - https://www.theballadeers.com/hi_2006_clo.htm
- Lyrics - https://genius.com/The-mary-wallopers-cod-liver-oil-and-the-orange-juice-lyrics
- BBC ban - https://www.theballadeers.com/hi_2006_clo.htm
- Mary Wallopers release - https://www.last.fm/music/The+Mary+Wallopers/+albums