Funny Tin Pan Alley songs about Cuba?

Subject: Funny Tin Pan Alley songs about Cuba?
From: MorwenEdhelwen1
Date: 09 Jun 13 - 10:17 PM

I'm getting back to revising something I started last year, which is a young adult science fiction novel that is a sort of examination of the cult of personality around Che Guevara, which is why it's set in Cuba. The protagonist is a literal clone of Che. In the first few pages, someone sings a song that plays in a tourist ad and is supposed to symbolise American attitudes about the country that the government is playing to. The lyrics are quoted.

Right now I'm using Irving Berlin's "I'll See You In C-U-B-A," which , but I've found that the copyright was renewed, so I'm looking for any similar pieces from around that period on the subject of Cuba, particularly funny ones, or which mention Cuba in detail. Does anyone know of other similarly humourous Tin Pan Alley songs about Cuba that are in public domain (ie the rights haven't been renewed) in the same vein as the Irving Berlin piece?

Subject: RE: Funny Tin Pan Alley songs about Cuba?
From: MorwenEdhelwen1
Date: 09 Jun 13 - 10:20 PM

*has a chorus that sounds like an English-language Cuban tourist ad*.

Subject: RE: Funny Tin Pan Alley songs about Cuba?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 Jun 13 - 02:10 AM

Here's a YouTube recording of Jack Kaufman singing the Irving Berlin song in 1920. The Complete Lyrics of Irving Berlin says the original song was published in 1920, which puts it beyond copyright control in every nation known to man (cutoff is 1923 in the US). Irving Berlin wrote a revision of the song in 1945 - that revision is still under copyright control.

I see you've already been to snopes.com on this, but I don't see a definitive answer. This Wikipedia chart on copyright length, confuses me even more.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Funny Tin Pan Alley songs about Cuba?
From: MorwenEdhelwen1
Date: 10 Jun 13 - 03:11 AM

Yeah, it confuses me too, Joe.... I think just about the only song that should be public domain by now but isn't is Happy Birthday..

Subject: RE: Funny Tin Pan Alley songs about Cuba?
From: MorwenEdhelwen1
Date: 10 Jun 13 - 04:00 AM

BTW, is that revision the version in the movie Blue Skies? (yay for the Internet!). The one with this alternate second verse?

Why don't you do your drinking like a Cuban,
Instead of hiding in a cellar?
Since Prohibition tell me pal, have you been
A very frightened little feller?

Why don't you pour it from the bottle,
'Stead of a tiny silver flask,
Drink your Scotch, rum, and gin,
Where the dries can get in,

The finest bars are there, cigars are there,
That only are made in Cuba.
I'm not a drinking lady, I never smoked a Panatella
But I'm a she who likes to be where all is gay, okay!

So let us leave our cares and troubles behind
And tell 'em our new address
Is where they stay up late and drink till they're blind?
Blind, but nevertheless
They're glad to see you in C.U.B.A.


Why don't you travel with us on a train or a bus
To Miami where we can begin
To plan a wonderful trip on a plane or a ship
That'll take us from Florida to Havana?
See you in C.U.B.A!

Found those lyrics here

Subject: RE: Funny Tin Pan Alley songs about Cuba?
From: MorwenEdhelwen1
Date: 10 Jun 13 - 04:01 AM

*can't*.

Subject: RE: Funny Tin Pan Alley songs about Cuba?
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 10 Jun 13 - 05:04 AM

I think Joe and leeneia decided in the previous thread ( Lyr Add: I'll See You in C-U-B-A (Irving Berlin) ) that the original version must be out of copyright.

There are plenty of Cuba-related songs at Levy that you can have a look at: Cuba songs sheet music. This list includes I'll See You In Cuba, 1920 version, with full display of the music, which suggests that they believe it's out of copyright (Levy is usually gives only the index entry if the song is in copyright and you can't display the music)

Mick

Subject: RE: Funny Tin Pan Alley songs about Cuba?
From: MorwenEdhelwen1
Date: 10 Jun 13 - 06:22 AM

Thanks, Joe and Mick! That's a relief! :)

Subject: RE: Funny Tin Pan Alley songs about Cuba?
From: MorwenEdhelwen1
Date: 10 Jun 13 - 09:48 AM

Just to make this question even more complicated, the estate seems to have copyright for some version of the lyrics to this song. But I don't know which version it is- probably the 1945 version.

Subject: RE: Funny Tin Pan Alley songs about Cuba?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 10 Jun 13 - 02:26 PM

The melody to "Happy Birthday" is under copyright to Time Warner. Expiry 2030.

Please do not sing in public or the copyright police will pursue you,

Subject: ADD: I'll See You in C-U-B-A (1945)-Irving Berlin
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 Jun 13 - 03:51 PM

Hi, Morwen-
What you posted is very close to the 1945 version of the song, which appeared in the 1946 movie, Blue Skies. Here's the whole shebang:

I'LL SEE YOU IN C-U-B-A (1945)
(Irving Berlin)

Johnny: Why don't you do your drinking like a Cuban,
Instead of hiding in a cellar?
Since Pro-hi-bition tell me pal, have you been
A very frightened little feller?
Why don't you pour it from the bottle,
'Stead of a tiny silver flask?
Hear that pop of a cork that they stopped in New York -
The finest bars are there - cigars are there,
That only are made in Cuba.

Nita: I'm not a drinking lady, I never smoked a panatela,
But I'm a she who likes to be where it is gay, okay?

Both: So let us leave our cares behind
Join the si señoras where they say that love is blind.
Blind - but nevertheless
They're glad to see you in C-U-B-A.


Tag: Why don't you come with us on a bus
To Miami, where you can plan a
Lovely trip on a ship,
One that carries you to Havana?
See you in C-U-B-A!

from the 1946 movie, Blue Skies

from The Complete Lyrics of Irving Berlin, edited by Robert Kimball

Subject: RE: Funny Tin Pan Alley songs about Cuba?
From: MorwenEdhelwen1
Date: 10 Jun 13 - 07:29 PM

@Joe: Interesting. Makes it more funny :)

Subject: RE: Funny Tin Pan Alley songs about Cuba?
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 11 Jun 13 - 09:28 AM

I posted your query on the 78 list - here are some responses:



Maybe too far afield, but "Battleship of Maine" is pretty amusing, perhaps out of copyright...
Red Patterson's Piedmont Log Rollers on Victor 20936, rec. 1927 but I don't know when it was published on paper.
Peter Fraissinet


When Yuba plays the Tuba down in Cuba?
Ron L


I don't know about copyright status but here are a few ideas...
CUBAN PETE - Desi Arnaz & Amanda Lane
A CABANA IN HAVANA - Glenn Miller & Marion Hutton
HAVANA - Billy Murray & Ada Jones
WHEN YUBA PLAYED THE RHUMBA ON THE TUBA - Rudy Vallee or Ben Selvin
THERE'S A GIRL IN HAVANA - Lyric Quartet
HAVANA FOR A NIGHT - Tony Martin
RayK


Unless it was composed before 1923, there ain't no such animal. I'm surprised
that the Berlin song is still in copyright in the US, although it's still
copyrighted in Canada and Europe (death+50 or death+70).

dl


A few other item that are P.D. but probably won't help you:
The Cubanola Glide (Von Tilzer, 1910)
Gottschalk's opera "Encenas Campestres" ("Cuban Country Scenes") - 1860 & " La Gallina" ("Danse Cubaine") - 1869
There's a suite that John Philip Sousa wrote in 1925 called "Cubaland" that I'd be interested in hearing. Not sure if it's still in copyright or not. Most Sousa stuff is P.D. worldwide if it was published prior to 1923.

Cary Ginell


Best wishes, Thomas.

Subject: RE: Funny Tin Pan Alley songs about Cuba?
From: MorwenEdhelwen1
Date: 11 Jun 13 - 08:10 PM

@Thomas: That's what I've read anyhow, although it's probably not. (It was published in 1923). The situation is probably more complicated by the fact that the arrangement in the lyrics collection Joe quoted above is copyrighted 2000.

Subject: RE: Funny Tin Pan Alley songs about Cuba?
From: MorwenEdhelwen1
Date: 11 Jun 13 - 08:28 PM

Thanks, BTW.

Subject: RE: Funny Tin Pan Alley songs about Cuba?
From: MorwenEdhelwen1
Date: 11 Jun 13 - 11:28 PM

Oops! That should be "It was published in 1920."

Subject: RE: Funny Tin Pan Alley songs about Cuba?
From: MorwenEdhelwen1
Date: 09 Aug 13 - 07:07 PM

Subject: Lyr Add: LET'S GO TO CUBA (BEFORE THEY DRINK ...)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 14 May 15 - 12:57 PM

From the sheet music at the University of Maine (I couldn't find a recording):


LET'S GO TO CUBA (BEFORE THEY DRINK THE DARN PLACE DRY)
Words and music by Jack Darrell, ©1920.
"Successfully introduced by [the] Brock Sisters, pets of showdom"

1. Now, folks, if you feel blue,
And don't now what to do,
Don't try to put the blame on the weather.
If you've lost all ambition,
Or your health's in poor condition,
Don't think your life is wrecked altogether,
For I've a plan to bring back happiness.
Just join me on this trip, I suggest:

CHORUS: Let's go to Cuba; we'll enjoy the clime.
Weather there is fine.
Let's make a start today.
(Right away, don't delay!)
I'm sure we'll find lots of sugar; of course, that will be sweet,
But they have something else there will be more of a treat.
(So let's hurry!)
Just like the natives, we can shivaree,
Shake a wicked knee.
Our tickets quick we'd better try to buy.
I'll tell you why:
{This village has no fascination now for me,
Because you cannot make your shimmy shake on tea.}*
So let's go to Cuba before they drink the darn place dry.

2. Now I can understand
Why millions love this land.
Democracy and freedom's my hobby,
But since old prohibition
Rearranged that old condition,
Freedom's sadly missed by everybody.
The only way to fool them, I can see,
Is pack your grip and take a trip with me. CHORUS

* [On second chorus substitute these words:]
{Havana has a tonic that's so full of pep,
You take one little drink and then you watch your step.}

Subject: Lyr Add: THE CUBANOLA GLIDE (V Bryan/H Von Tilzer)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 14 May 15 - 02:06 PM

Lyrics below are from the sheet music at the University of Maine:

[YouTube has vocal recordings from 1910 by Collins and Harlan and Paul Southe; and Jack Charman from 1912.]


THE CUBANOLA GLIDE
Words by Vincent Bryan; music by Harry Von Tilzer. ©1909.

1. Way down in Cuba where skies are clear,
Where it is summer time all of the year,
Dey has de lovin'est dance I know.
Come along, honey babe, and I'll show you.
Get away closer, hon; squeeze me tight.
Ragadag to de left, den to de right.
Shake it up; shake it up side by side.
Cuddle right up to me as we slide.
Ain't it entrancin' when you're a-dancin'
Dat Cubanola Glide?

CHORUS: Glide; glide; keep on a-glidin'.
Slide; slide; keep on a-slidin'.
Honey, look into your baby's eyes.
Throw your arms around me.
Ain't you glad you found me?
Tease; squeeze, lovin' and wooin'.
O babe, what are you doin'?
Ride to glory by your baby's side,
When you do de Cubanola Glide.

2. I'm goin' crazy, hon; hear dat band!
Ain't it a daisy? It's certainly grand.
Never heard music like dat before.
Rag it some more and we'll glide to glory.
Pucker your rosy lips; lift de lid.
Slip me a lovin' kiss, oh, oh, you kid!
Honey bunch, honey bunch, whisper low.
Tell me you love me, babe; let me know.
I feel so spoony; I'm goin' looney.
Don't ever let me go.


Spotify has vocal versions by—
Matt Tolentino on "Midnight, the Stars and You" (2011)
Sharon, Lois and Bram on "Sing A to Z" (1991)
Max Morath on "Oh Play That Thing" (1964)
Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith on "Guitars, Fiddles and Banjos" (2011), "Guitar Boogie" (2014), and "Feudin' Banjos" (2014).
—as well as a few instrumental versions.

Subject: Lyr Add: IT WILL NEVER BE DRY DOWN IN HAVANA
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 28 May 15 - 12:44 AM

From the sheet music at UCLA:


IT WILL NEVER BE DRY DOWN IN HAVANA
(NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS 'ROUND HERE)
Words by William Tracey; Music by Halsey K. Mohr. ©1920.

1. There is a happy land far, far away:
That Cuban island,
Sweet rock-and-rye land.
I met a pal of mine leaving today,
And he said: "I'm going there to stay.
This old town has gone all wrong.
I want women, wine and song.
If you'll take my tip, you'll come along."

CHORUS 1: It will never be dry down in Havana,
No matter what happens 'round here.
Down on Santiago Bay,
Where the senoritas sway,
"How Dry I Am" is a tune they never play.
Though they talk Spanish in Havana,
Don't worry; there's nothing to fear.
"Yaka hula cubanola" I have lately found
Is the way to say: "Hey! Waiter, bring another round!"
It will never be dry down in Havana
No matter what happens 'round here.

2. There is a happy crowd, sailing away
On steamers daily,
All singing gaily,
And they are shouting to friends on the pier:
"Sorry; we must go away from here."
Places where we met each night
One by one are closing tight,
So there's only one place now in sight:

CHORUS 2: It will never be dry down in Havana,
No matter what happens 'round here.
I'm as thirsty as can be.
Prohibition ruined me.
You know you can't make your shimmy shake on tea.
They don't keep Bevo in Havana,
And they never heard of near beer,
But the private stock they sell will knock you off your feet.
One drink makes a rabbit chase a bulldog up the street.
It will never be dry down in Havana,
No matter what happens 'round here.