To listen (fragment)

Berliner 5 inch record #53

Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay

"Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay" is a catchy music hall song written by Henry Sayers and first performed in 1891. The song was best known sung by Lottie Collins (1866–1910), and more recently by the Mariachi-tuned Dilly Sisters on the 1960s children variety show The Banana Splits Adventure Hour.

A 1945 British film of the same name describes the history of music hall theatre. The tune is widely recognizable and has been used for numerous other songs; including children's camp songs and military ballads from the early 20th century. It was also used for the theme song to the show Howdy Doody, a children's television program that aired on NBC from 1947 through 1960.

Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ta-ra-ra_Boom-de-ay

Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay

A smart and stylish girl you see Belle of good society Not too strict but rather free Yet as right as right can be! Never forward, never bold Not too hot, and not too cold But the very thing, I'm told, That in your arms you'd like to hold. Chorus: Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay! (sung 8 times) I'm not extravagantly shy And when a nice young man is nigh For his heart I have a try And faint away with tearful cry! When the good young man in haste Will support me round the waist I don't come to while thus embraced Till of my lips he steals a taste! Chorus

I'm a timid flow'r of innocence Pa says that that I have no sense, I'm one eternal big expense But men say that I'm just "immense!" ere my verses I conclude I'd like it known and understood Though free as air, I'm never rude I'm not too bad and not too good! Chorus You should see me out with Pa, Prim, and most particular; The young men say, "Ah, there you are!" And Pa says, "That's peculiar!" "It's like their cheek!" I say, and so Off again with Pa I go-- He's quite satisfied--although, When his back's turned--well, you know-- Chorus.

A more modern set of lyrics with double the number of Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ayes in the chorus goes as thus:

A sweet tuxedo girl you see Queen of swell society Fond of fun as fond can be When it's on the strict Q.T. I'm not too young, I'm not too old Not too timid, not too bold Just the kind you'd like to hold Just the kind for sport I'm told Chorus: Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay! (sung 8 times) I'm a blushing bud of innocence Papa says at big expense Old maids say I have no sense Boys declare, I'm just immense Before my song I do conclude I want it strictly understood Though fond of fun, I'm never rude Though not too bad I'm not too good Chorus

A sweet tuxedo girl you see Queen of swell society Fond of fun as fond can be When it's on the strict Q.T. I'm not too young, I'm not too old Not too timid, not too bold Just the kind you'd like to hold Just the kind for sport I'm told Chorus.

 

In 1916 Joe Hill wrote a version which tells the tale of how poor working conditions
can lead workers into "accidentally" causing their machinery to have mishaps

I had a job once threshing wheat Worked sixteen hours with hands and feet. And when the moon was shining bright, They kept me working all the night. One moonlight night, I hate to tell, I "accidentally" slipped and fell. My pitchfork went right in between Some cog wheels of that thresh-machine. Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay! It made a noise that way. And wheels and bolts and hay, Went flying every way. That stingy rube said, "Well! A thousand gone to hell. But I did sleep that night, I needed it all right. Next day that stingy rube did say, "I'll bring my eggs to town today; You grease my wagon up, you mutt, And don't forget to screw the nut. I greased his wagon all right, But I plumb forgot to screw the nut, And when he started on that trip, The wheel slipped off and broke his hip. Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay! It made a noise that way, That rube was sure a sight, And mad enough to fight; His whiskers and his legs Were full of scrambled eggs; I told him, "That's too bad -- I'm feeling very sad"

And then that farmer said, "You turk! I bet you are an "I Won't Work". He paid me off right there, By Gum! So I went home and told my chum. Next day when threshing did commence, My chum was Johnny on the fence; And 'pon my word, that awkward kid, He dropped his pitchfork, like I did. Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay! It made a noise that way, And part of that machine Hit Reuben on the bean. He cried, "Oh me, oh my; I nearly lost my eye" My partner said, "You're right -- It's bedtime now, good night" But still that rube was pretty wise, These things did open up his eyes. He said, "There must be something wrong; I think I work my men too long" He cut the hours and raised the pay, Gave ham and eggs for every day, Now gets his men from union hall, And has no "accidents" at all. Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay! That rube is feeling gay; He learned his lesson quick, Just through a simple trick. For fixing rotten jobs And fixing greedy slobs, This is the only way, Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay!

Source, and more details on : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ta-ra-ra_Boom-de-ay