Lyr Req: The Joo-Jah Tree (George Formby)

Subject: Lyr Req: the Doo Dah Tree
From: GUEST,polly
Date: 07 Dec 11 - 08:01 PM

Hello, I'm very new here, so please forgive me if I'm not doing thing's the way they should be done. My mum used to sing me medley's of songs (choruses only) back in the 50's/60's, which she had learnt from her mum, who in turn learnt from her mum (my great grandmother). Great grandmother lived in the East End of London in around the 1850's and the songs she learnt were 'pub songs'/ music hall stuff, which she sung in pubs to scratch a living. One of the songs that come down through the female generations is called 'The Doo Dah Tree'. My great grandmother must have sung it to my grandmother (nan) who passed it onto my mum, who (unknowingly) passed it on to me. The only small clue I can find about the song is there was a Doo Dah tree in the Great Exhibition in the 1800's. I only ever got the chorus from my mum, but now I'm singing Music Hall stuff out myself, I would dearly love to know the verses and maybe a bit more history of the song. The chorus (as I remember it being passed on to me) goes:

'Oh, the Doo Dah tree, the Doo Dah tree,
the funniest tree that you ever did see,
it grew so tall, and it grew so high,
it poked a hole in the blue, blue sky.
Sailor's say if you are round that way
from two 'til half past three,
prehistoric animals go climbing, climbing
up the Doo Dah tree'..................

Has anyone out there any information on this song? I've spent many years trying to find out about it. The song would always be followed by 'The Ogo-Pogo', which I've found the words to on YouTube.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the Doo Dah Tree
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Feb 13 - 02:40 AM

It is the Joo Jar Tree by George Formby. Hope this helps.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the Doo Dah Tree
From: Leadfingers
Date: 21 Feb 13 - 08:13 AM

Joo Jar Tree on You Tube   Here

Subject: Lyr Add: THE JOO-JAR TREE (from George Formby)
From: GUEST,999
Date: 21 Feb 13 - 09:47 AM

THE JOO JAR TREE

Somewhere out in Joo Jar land in a forest fine and grand
Miles and miles above the sea stands the mighty Joo Jar tree

The Joo Jar tree The Joo Jar tree, the finest tree that you ever did see
Last July it grew so high, it poked a hole through the bright blue sky
Sailors say when they're down that way, from two till half past three

On it's branches big and strong, prehistoric animals are shuffling along
And they keep on shuffling, shuffling, shuffling up the Joo Jar tree

Its trunk's the most gigantic size you just can't believe your eyes
Little doggies whoop with glee when they see the Joo Jar tree

The Joo Jar tree, The Joo Jar tree, the finest tree that you ever did see
Last July it grew so high, it poked a hole through the bright blue sky
Sailors say when they're down that way, from two till half past three

You'll see Tarzan of the Apes, with a big banana and a lovely bunch of grapes
And he keeps on climbing, climbing, climbing up the Joo Jar tree

A nice pink elephant you will see shouting, "I'm a fairy" as he flits from tree to tree
And he keeps on flitting, flitting, flitting up the Joo Jar tree

The big baboon with purple patch, is yelling to his lady love who won't come up to scratch
And he keeps on yelling, scratching, yelling up the Joo Jar tree

Joo Jar maidens young and fair, only wear a necklace to protect them from the air
And they keep on shivering, shivering, shivering up the Joo Jar tree

You'll see things that don't seem true
If you don't believe 'em well you know what you can do
You can keep on climbing, climbing, climbing up the Joo Jar tree

Oh the Joo Jar tree The Joo Jar tree, the finest tree that you ever did see
Last July it grew so high, it poked a hole through the bright blue sky
Sailors say when they're down that way, from two till half past three

Beneath that tree don't dare to stop
Pennies down from heaven isn't what the birdies drop
You must keep on moving, moving, moving from under the Joo Jar tree


from

http://www.georgeformby.co.uk/lyrics/j_k_l.htm

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the Doo Dah Tree
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 21 Feb 13 - 10:07 AM

Thanks, Leadfingers and 999, for bringing this cute song back to life.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Joo-Jar Tree (from George Formby)
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Feb 14 - 09:06 AM

Thank you so much for posting the lyrics & stories of how the song passed down to you. I myself only knew part of the song from my grandad(Popa), who's family came from London. My two boy's also sing the little I know & it was lovely to share the whole song & reminisce on the happy times I had with my Pop's. Take care & thanks again x

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Joo-Jar Tree (from George Formby)
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Feb 14 - 03:27 PM

This was my grampa Jimmy's signature song, every time I hear it I think of him beating his chest like Tarzan whilst singing it and my gran telling him to shut up! Now my kids jump around singing it!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Joo-Jar Tree (from George Formby)
From: GUEST,Jan
Date: 13 May 14 - 01:40 PM

My Mum used to sing the following...
The doo dah tree, the doo dah tree
The finest tree that you ever did see
Last July it grew so high
It poked a hole in the bright blue sky
Sailors say when their down that way
From two till half past three
On its branches big and strong
Prehistoric animals go shuff'ling
And they keep on climbing, climbing, climbing
Up the doo dah tree

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Joo-Jar Tree (from George Formby)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 16 May 14 - 12:41 PM

The correct title, according to the sheet music, is THE JOO-JAH TREE.

Ebay has an image of the cover, although it seems to be no longer for sale.

The British Library (via WorldCat.org) says the songwriters are "Box, Cox, Roberts & Butler" ©1938.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Joo-Jar Tree (from George Formby)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 16 May 14 - 03:59 PM

I just listened to a recording of George Formby singing THE JOO-JAH TREE at YouTube. The lyrics posted by GUEST,999 above are exactly right—except for the spelling. (Curiously, whoever posted the recording at YouTube also spelled it THE JOO-JAR TREE, but to these American ears, it certainly sounds like he's singing "Joo-Jah". Your results may differ.)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Joo-Jar Tree (from George Formby)
From: GUEST,Tee
Date: 19 May 14 - 09:11 AM

My Grandma used to sing the Joo Jah Tree to my Mum and Auntie, she died on 7th May and we're having it at the end of her funeral to hopefully make everyone smile. : )