Lyr Req: I Took My Organ to the Party

Subject: Lyr Req: I took my organ to the party
From: Fairlyhonestjohn
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 11:17 PM

Does anybody know the lyrics to:

I took my organ to the party but nobody asked me to play.
Everybody was jolly and hearty but I wasn't feeling so gay
I felt so embarassed when I heard someone say
I wonder if that broken down organ can play.

This was on a record somewhere about 1940, along with a song called "The Sons of Beaches always married Bassetts" and another one
"She had to go and lose it at the Astor"

Any help from a mudcat member would very much be appreciated.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I took my organ to the party
From: Micca
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 04:34 AM

FHJ, I am fairly sure the song you seek was sung by Gracie Fields and was called I TOOK MY HARP TO A PARTY - lyrics here

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I took my organ to the party
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 04:43 AM

Micca is correct, and here is the 'She Had to Go and Lose It at the Astor', that you also mentioned.

JM

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I took my organ to the party
From: Fairlyhonestjohn
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 01:22 PM

Thanks for all your help with my request. They ARE the correct ones.
Trust me, fairlyhonestjohn

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I took my organ to the party
From: GUEST,folkbloke
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 06:29 PM

What a hilarious lyric. Anyone know the tune?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I took my organ to the party
From: Bill D
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 06:40 PM

It's a hard tune to explain. I know someone who sings it, but can't even ask her to sing it into my answering machine now...she's out of town.

Maybe it's been recorded by someone?

Subject: Lyr Add: I TOOK MY HARP TO A PARTY (Carter, Gay)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 13 Sep 08 - 09:39 PM

Lyrics copied from http://www.lyricsdownload.com/gracie-field-i-took-my-harp-to-a-party-lyrics.html

I TOOK MY HARP TO A PARTY
Words by Desmond Carter, music by Noel Gay, 1933.
As sung by Gracie Fields

VERSE 1: Christmas is comin'. Christmas is comin'.
Christmas is comin' again.
But that never thrills me. the thought of it chills me.
I tell you it fills me with pain.
It makes me remember a Christmas gone by
When I was extremely upset.
A night in December, an evening that I
Would very much rather forget.

CHORUS 1: For I took me harp to a party, but nobody asked me to play.
The others were jolly and 'earty, but I wasn't feelin' so gay.
They might have said "play us a tune we can sing"
But somehow I don't think they noticed the thing.
I took me harp to a party, but nobody asked me to play,
So I took the darned thing away.

VERSE 2: They asked Mrs Morgan to play her mouth-organ,
And somebody else did a dance.
They let Mrs Carter perform a sonata,
But I wasn't given a chance.
A north country person called Sandy McPherson
Played bagpipes and took off his coat,
While both the Miss Fawcetts bust out of their corsets
In trying to take a top note.

CHORUS 2: But I took me harp to a party, nobody asked me to play.
The others were jolly and 'earty, but I wasn't feelin' so gay.
I felt so ashamed at not strikin' a note,
That I tried to hide the thing under me coat.
I took me harp to a party, but nobody asked me to play,
So I took the darned thing away.

VERSE 3: They sang Home Sweet Home and The Banks of Loch Lomond,
And All the King's Horses, then Trees,
While nephews and nieces kept playin' their pieces
And spreadin' their jam on the keys.
A daughter called Lena played her concertina.
We all played ridiculous games,
'Til old Mr Dyer set his whiskers on fire,
And a fire engine played on the flames.

But I took me harp to a party but nobody asked me to play
So I took the darned thing away!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I took my organ to the party
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 13 Sep 08 - 10:38 PM

There really was a song called I TOOK MY ORGAN TO THE PARTY, sung by Larry Vincent and the Jenadoos, on a 78-rpm record, Pearl Record Co., #52-A. No doubt it was inspired by I TOOK MY HARP TO A PARTY, but was contrived to have some more obvious double-entendres.

Here's an excerpt transcribed from a 37-second sound sample found at
http://www.csufresno.edu/folklore/drinkingsongs/mp3s/1950s/1950ca-pearl-records-(78)/index.htm :

At every party there's always a smarty who likes to show off in some way.
Some folks desire to sit by the fire while others good music they play.
One night in November I'll never forget. I was invited to play at a dance.
I brought my music and instrument, but I wasn't given a chance.
I took my organ to the party, but nobody asked me to play….

Subject: Lyr Add: A BASSETT TO THE END
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 13 Sep 08 - 10:40 PM

The same web site has this:

Copied from http://www.drinkingsongs.net/html/books-and-manuscripts/1950s/1950s-ribald-songs-with-music-(ms-and-mimeo-in-binder)/index.htm

(The PDF file mentioned there contains a lead sheet.)

A BASSETT TO THE END

Boston has always been the seat of culture.
For generations, it has always held the lead.
The Beeches and the Cabots, the Lowells and the Bassetts,
The families that were most meticulous, rather ridiculous, too.
When they tell just how well their families are treed --
Who's in the lead -- my friends, when it comes to forthright genealogy,
There are but two families who can go away back.
But away back - and who have kept track.
They are the bluest of the Back Bay's bluest blues.
To you they are the zenith of society's social snobs.
To them the Cabots and the Lowells (oh, my dear!) just slobs!
Who are they? Who are they?
Why they're the sons and daughters of the Beeches and the Bassetts.

CHORUS: For the sons of Beeches always marry Bassetts,
For a Bassett is a Bassett to the end.
Though the Beeches have the assets, it's the Bassetts have the classes.
Beeches assets put the Bassetts on the mend.
A Bassett never mingles with the masses.
To resort to that they'd never condescend;
But the Beeches have a chauffer who's a Bassett girl's gopher!
For a Bassett is a Bassett to the end.

For the sons of Beeches always marry Bassetts,
For a Bassett is a Bassett to the end.
The great wealth they have amassed, it's the Beeches, not the Bassetts.
Beeches assets put the Bassets on the mend, (SPOKEN: They think!)
In Pilgrim days, the Bassetts were "John Alden."
To Priscilla Dean, Miles Standish they did send.
But Priscilla up and tossed them, for John Alden double-crossed them
Oh a Bassett is definitely a Bassett to the end.
SPOKEN: The end.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I took my organ to the party
From: Ferrara
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 10:25 PM

I believe Murray Callahan sings this, and I know Judy Cook used to sing it with another mutual friend. They will all three be at this year's Getaway. Maybe we can get an MP3 of the tune & post it.... I remember the tune for the chorus, but not the verses.

Rita F

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I took my organ to the party
From: GUEST,Ahessel
Date: 02 Nov 08 - 11:25 AM

My father had this record (in 45rpm) in the 1950s. The lyrics differed slightly from those I've seen posted here i.e. "For the Beeches have a waiter that the Bassett girls see later, Beeches assets keep the Bassets on the mend."

I too would really like to find either the lyrics or a tape of these two songs.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I took my organ to the party
From: GUEST,just passing through
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 03:40 AM

I found a bunch of old records, and the Beeches and bassetts record is among them. Does anyone want it? I did a google search because the song title was interesting, and that is how I found this site. I will check back for responses.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I took my organ to the party
From: GUEST
Date: 27 May 09 - 01:42 AM

I felt so ashamed at not striking a note
I tried to hide the thing under my coat
It was such a big organ
stood about so tall

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Took My Organ to the Party
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Jun 09 - 02:56 PM

I've been trying to locate this record for years, but haven't found it.

Back in the '50s, when there was little TV, people found other ways to entertain themselves. One way was to listen to party records, usually after a few drinks. This song was very popular, as were others by Larry Vincent, such as "Get Off the Table, Mabel", "Farmer Gray", and "The Sons of Beeches Always Marry Bassetts".

I haven't heard this song for decades, but I heard it so many times in the '50s, that I think I recall nearly all of the words, but I'm missing a couple of parts. If anyone can correct or refine what I have written below, I'd appreciate it.

[Verse]

Now, at every party
There's always a smarty,
Who likes to show off in some way.

Some folks desire
To sit by the fire,
While others good music they play.

One night in November, I'll never forget,
I was invited to play at a dance.
I took my musical instrument,
But I wasn't given a chance.

[Chorus]

Oh, I took my organ to the party,
But nobody asked me to play.
The others were jolly and hearty,
But I wasn't feeling so gay.

They might have said,
"Play us a song we can sing!"
But somehow I don't think
That they noticed the thing!

[Talking part] And it was such a big organ, too.
Stood about that high!

I took my organ to the party,
But nobody asked me to play.

[Verse}

They let Mrs. Dither
Play on her zither,
While somebody else did a dance.
I saw Miss Marocca
Shakin' her ka-nockas,
But I wasn't given a chance.
A fellow named Teal
Made a noise like a seal.
I said, "This guy
Must be in a rut!"
Then Mrs. O'Dooley
Sang "I Love You Truly".
For an encore
She sang "Kelsy's Nuts" [not sure about this]

[Chorus]

Oh, I took my organ to the party,
But nobody asked me to play.
The others were jolly and hearty,
But I wasn't feeling so gay.

I felt so ashamed
At not striking a note,
That I tried to hide the old thing
Under my coat.

{Talking part] But I couldn't do it!
It was such a big organ.
Stood about that high!

I took my organ to the party,
But nobody asked me to play.

[Talking] Not even the maid!

Nobody asked me to play.

[Talking] Not even the butler!

Nobody asked me to play.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Took My Organ to the Party
From: Joe_F
Date: 14 Jun 09 - 09:16 PM

To be followed by "Linda and her Londonderry Air".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Took My Organ to the Party
From: GUEST,jimmyboy
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 02:03 PM

Another line:

I felt so embarrassed when I heard someone say,
"I wonder if that broken-down organ can play!"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Took My Organ to the Party
From: GUEST,Eric
Date: 30 Jun 09 - 11:46 AM

I have a copy of this record and will try to transcribe the lyrics. BTW- the "Kelsey's Nuts" reference is to another song:

"Kelsey's Nuts are the sweetest / of any nuts in town"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Took My Organ to the Party
From: GUEST,Eric
Date: 30 Jun 09 - 06:02 PM

I've just played my copy and the lyrics above are accurate, give or take a word or two. Someone had an excellent memory.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Took My Organ to the Party
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 05:51 PM

Here's Gracie Fields singing "I took my harp to a party" - YouTube, but only audio, I'm afraid.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Took My Organ to the Party
From: Deckman
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 10:07 PM

"Get off the table, Mable,
The two bits is for the BEEEEER!"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Took My Organ to the Party
From: GUEST,Rob Darlington
Date: 16 Jun 14 - 01:07 PM

In 1949-50 the officer's mess at the US Navy Supply Corps School at Bayonne N.J. had a record player (5 cents) with I Took my Organ to the Party; The Sons of Beaches Always Married Bassetts and The Cutest Little Dinghy in the Navy. The singer was Ruth something or other. The record was almost worn out frm play.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Took My Organ to the Party
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 27 Jun 14 - 11:45 PM

Rob: That would be Ruth Wallis. We have the lyrics to

THE DINGHY SONG ("He's got the cutest little Dinghy in the Navy")

and

A BASSETT TO THE END ("For the sons of Beeches always marry Bassetts")

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Took My Organ to the Party
From: LadyJean
Date: 28 Jun 14 - 12:24 AM

I am, once again, having car issues. I'm walking everywhere, and it hurts. I got a call from a friend tonight. He asked how I was. I said, "Stiff". He said I was probably not as happy about that as he would be.

Subject: Lyr Add: I TOOK MY ORGAN TO THE PARTY
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 28 Jun 14 - 12:25 AM

Here's my transcription from a recording at YouTube. The lyrics are very close to what a guest posted back at 14 Jun 2009:

(Here's an image of the record label.)

I TOOK MY ORGAN TO THE PARTY
As sung by Pearl Boys [Larry Vincent], Pearl Records PC 204, ca. 1947.

1. Now, at every party there's always a smarty
Who likes to show off in some way.
Some folks desire to sit by the fire
While others good music they play.
One night in November I'll never forget.
I was invited to play at a dance.
I brought my music and instrument,
But I wasn't given a chance.

CHORUS: I took my organ to the party,
But nobody asked me to play.
The others were jolly and hearty,
But I wasn't feelin' so gay.
They might 'a' said: "Play us a song we can sing,"
But somehow I don't think that they noticed the thing.
(And it was such a big organ, too; stood about that high.)*
I took my organ to the party,
But nobody asked me to play.

2. They let Mrs. Wither play on her zither,
And somebody else did a dance.
I saw Miss Maraca shakin' her kanakas
But I wasn't given a chance.
A fellow named Teal made a noise like a seal.
I said: "This guy must be in a rut"
While Mrs O'Dooley played "I Love You Truly."
For an encore she sang "Kelsey's Nuts."

CHORUS: I took my organ to the party,
But nobody asked me to play.
The others were jolly and hearty,
But I wasn't feelin' so gay.
I felt so ashamed at not strikin' a note,
That I tried to hide the old thing under my coat.
(And I couldn't make it; it was such a big organ; stood about that high.)*
I took my organ to the party,
But nobody asked me to play.

I felt so embarrassed when I heard someone say:
"I wonder if that broken-down organ can play."
I took my organ to the party,
But nobody asked me to play
(Not even the maid).*
Nobody asked me to play
(Not even the hostess).*
Nobody asked me to play.

* Lines in parentheses are spoken, not sung, during a pause in the music.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Took My Organ to the Party
From: Larry The Radio Guy
Date: 28 Jun 14 - 04:56 AM

Great song! I use it in the upcoming episode of Musial Therapy (see Peachcityradio.org, on what we want and don't want from parties and social interactions.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Took My Organ to the Party
From: GUEST,GardnerJohn
Date: 06 Dec 14 - 06:57 PM

I had "I took my organ to the party" with the flip side "The Sons of Beaches Always Married Bassetts" on an old 78rpm record by the Pearl Boys. I got it in a flea market about 40 years ago. It looked about 40 years old when I bought it. I lost the record many years ago but these are still 2 of my favorite songs.