The Comic Songster

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Kitty
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The Comic Songster

Post by Kitty »

Today I found a pretty great song book from 1870 at an antique shop.
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I decided that I'd Google the songs as I went through the book to see if I they were on YouTube or something, as I want to hear their tunes. This is the fifth song in the book called Captain and His Whiskers. This recording is just wonderful, by a man named Hubert Brady from July 18 and 31, 1939. He did pretty well in remembering most of the lyrics. https://youtu.be/6NQBhRr1sk4
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You trying to tell me you didn't hear that shriek? That was something trying to get out of its premature grave, and I don't want to be here when it does. - Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

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donnie
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Re: The Comic Songster

Post by donnie »

What a great find! That recording is interesting as well (though I don't understand how it's humorous, especially). Is the music with the words in your book? For voice only? Voice with piano score?

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Kitty
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Re: The Comic Songster

Post by Kitty »

donnie wrote:
Mon Nov 05, 2018 4:18 pm
What a great find! That recording is interesting as well (though I don't understand how it's humorous, especially). Is the music with the words in your book? For voice only? Voice with piano score?
The bottom picture in my original post is a photo of the song in the book. All the songs have the music with them.
They included some standards intermingled with the humorous songs, so I'm guessing this one is a standard.
You trying to tell me you didn't hear that shriek? That was something trying to get out of its premature grave, and I don't want to be here when it does. - Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

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Kitty
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Re: The Comic Songster

Post by Kitty »

The next one is Flying Trapeze, otherwise known as The Daring Man on the Flying Trapeze. This has been done quite a few times, including by Eddie Cantor, but I chose this version because it's closest to the song in my book.
https://youtu.be/wDhG_4N_r6w
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You trying to tell me you didn't hear that shriek? That was something trying to get out of its premature grave, and I don't want to be here when it does. - Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

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Kitty
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Re: The Comic Songster

Post by Kitty »

This one doesn't have an audio, but I needed to share this! Very good!
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You trying to tell me you didn't hear that shriek? That was something trying to get out of its premature grave, and I don't want to be here when it does. - Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

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donnie
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Re: The Comic Songster

Post by donnie »

I enjoyed hearing the all of the Flying Trapeze. I didn't realize that song dated back that far. I wonder what "well made as Chang" refers to in verse 2.

The Charming Young Widow is a wild one—interesting ending. :lol:

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Kitty
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Re: The Comic Songster

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donnie wrote:
Mon Nov 05, 2018 7:10 pm
I enjoyed hearing the all of the Flying Trapeze. I didn't realize that song dated back that far.
I'd never heard it at all, but I must admit that even hours later I am still humming that tune!
donnie wrote:
Mon Nov 05, 2018 7:10 pm
I wonder what "well made as Chang" refers to in verse 2.
I'm surprised I didn't notice that before! I was trying to look up all the slang I didn't understand and missed that one.
I'm glad you pointed it out, though, because I learned a new thing! Chang was a Chinese giant, over 8 feet tall. Here are photos. I especially like the fourth one, with his pretty wife sitting fanning herself. https://www.portrait.gov.au/portraits.php?i=both&p=4077

Here is his wiki page. I just noticed he died in 1893 on this date, Nov 5.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhan_Shichai
donnie wrote:
Mon Nov 05, 2018 7:10 pm
The Charming Young Widow is a wild one—interesting ending. :lol:
Isn't this one funny! I was delighted with this story. Totally shocking! :lol:
You trying to tell me you didn't hear that shriek? That was something trying to get out of its premature grave, and I don't want to be here when it does. - Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

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donnie
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Re: The Comic Songster

Post by donnie »

Thanks for the interesting info on Chang.
Kitty wrote:
Mon Nov 05, 2018 7:26 pm
I'd never heard it at all, but I must admit that even hours later I am still humming that tune!
You can see why it was popular—a very catchy tune, not to mention a picturesque subject matter. I wonder if this song became popular as a result of the advent of trapeze acts. Trapeze acts might have been around for a long time, I don't know, but if they were a popular and new sensation at the time, that might explain the subject matter.

Parallel: in the late 1800's, with the new invention of the telephone, there was a rash of comic songs involving the phone. Example—Hello, Ma Baby. People were apparently fascinated and amused at the idea of persons dating or proposing over the phone. :D

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Kitty
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Re: The Comic Songster

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donnie wrote:
Mon Nov 05, 2018 8:12 pm
Parallel: in the late 1800's, with the new invention of the telephone, there was a rash of comic songs involving the phone. Example—Hello, Ma Baby. People were apparently fascinated and amused at the idea of persons dating or proposing over the phone. :D
Wow! Color me a dum-dum but I never realized that I never heard that song in full! I had no idea that was what that song was about! I'm blown away!
You trying to tell me you didn't hear that shriek? That was something trying to get out of its premature grave, and I don't want to be here when it does. - Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

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Kitty
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Re: The Comic Songster

Post by Kitty »

Here is another one, called My Johnny Was A Shoemaker. This version is beautiful and haunting by John Renbourn Group.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yRAi4miyvQ
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You trying to tell me you didn't hear that shriek? That was something trying to get out of its premature grave, and I don't want to be here when it does. - Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

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