Lyr Add: Hard Hearted Hannah (Yellen-Bigelow-Bates

Subject: Hard Hearted Hannah, Belle of Savannah
From: GUEST,J. Wilcox
Date: 30 Aug 00 - 02:07 PM

I am desperately looking for Lyrics to "Hard Hearted Hannah, the Belle of Savannah, GA"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hard Hearted Hannah, Belle of Savann
From: wildlone
Date: 30 Aug 00 - 02:09 PM

OK Try Here
http://www.jazzalbum.com/words/hardheart.htm

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hard Hearted Hannah, Belle of Savann
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 Aug 00 - 03:50 PM

Well, it's a two-mainute response, which is quite impressive, indeed. However, Jeri and Pene Azul have set the two-minute record for a lyrics request reply with a clickable link. If you had made that URL a blue clicky, Wildlone, you would have tied the record.
Nice site you found, though. Looks like a mirrior of Rabid Squirrel's Jazz Archive.
Congratulations on nearly tying the record.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hard Hearted Hannah, Belle of Savann
From: wildlone
Date: 30 Aug 00 - 04:28 PM

Joe, My clicky things normaly dont work
what I do is copy and paste to the address bar and go,
a lot less hassle
dave

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hard Hearted Hannah, Belle of Savann
From: GUEST,J Wilcox
Date: 30 Aug 00 - 07:44 PM

To Wildlone and Joe Offer. Thanks so much for your fasr responses to my plea for HH Hannah lyrics. Is there any way to hear the melody?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hard Hearted Hannah, Belle of Savann
From: GUEST,Bruce O.
Date: 30 Aug 00 - 09:19 PM

Bibliographic information on it, but no GIFS of song or tune, are on the Levy sheet music collection (box 155, item 147) website (Mudcat's Links).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hard Hearted Hannah, Belle of Savann
From: bflat
Date: 30 Aug 00 - 09:54 PM

I sang this once in a variety show.It's a great fun piece in costume. Do you remember Cher doing it on her variety show. She would sit atop an upright piano and belt it out. Also substitue "vamp" for "belle." If you can't fine sheet music let me know possible I can.

bflat

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hard Hearted Hannah, Belle of Savann
From: Bud Savoie
Date: 30 Aug 00 - 10:10 PM

Cher sang a different song. Something like "She was a vamp, a scamp, and a bit of a tramp; she was a V-A-M-P vamp."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hard Hearted Hannah, Belle of Savann
From: bflat
Date: 30 Aug 00 - 10:18 PM

Bud--I bet you are right. That sure sounds like the one. Got my vamp songs confused.

bflat

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hard Hearted Hannah, Belle of Savann
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 30 Aug 00 - 10:31 PM

I found a midi of Hard-Hearted Hannah here.

bflat - thanks for clearing up that name (vamp). I was thinking "vamp" but wasn't quite sure of my memory.

Last summer I read the book "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" and learned quite a bit about Savannah!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hard Hearted Hannah, Belle of Savann
From: GUEST,J Wilcox
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 04:19 PM

Thanks to all who responded to my query. And it sure was vamp, not belle!

To bflat, I'd sure appreciate the sheet music. Can you email this? If not, I'll give you an addres.

To Mary in KY, Thanks for midi. I played this but this didn't quite sound like I vaguely remember it. Maybe was the ragtime arrangement. My need is for meeting this fall in Savannah where we must "entertain". Will also take tour of Midnight in Garden.... sites.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hard Hearted Hannah, Belle of Savann
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 05:07 PM

This brings back childhood memories from maybe 1938, when I was eight. My grandparents had an big old windup phonograph, about 4-1/2' by 4' by 2-1/2'(including record bins at each end) with a collection of records, each of which was about 3/8 of an inch thick! I remember The Prisoner's Song, Ramona, The Letter Edged In Black, Oh, How I wisht I Was In Peoria, Way Out West in Kansas, Dead in the Baggage Coach Ahead, Red Sails in the Sunset, Carolina Moon, Please, Mr. Conductor, The Letter Edged in Black, Can I Sleep in Your Barn Tonight, Mister?, and lots more--including Hard-Hearted Hannah! Ah, what I'd give--and have to give, in today's collector's market--for that phonograph and records!

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hard Hearted Hannah, Belle of Savann
From: balladeer
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 11:07 PM

I remember Ella singing about Hard Hearted Hannah, the VAMP of Savannah Ga....

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hard Hearted Hannah, Belle of Savann
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 01 Sep 00 - 07:22 PM

Hello again J Wilcox and all,

I found the midi by using the Midi Search Engine. There were 18 hits to choose from; I just happened to like the ragtime sound. I'll try to put the link to the search results page here.

If this doesn't work, just go to The Midi Search Engine and type in "hard hearted hannah." I really need to learn how to link to a search results page!

Mary

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hard Hearted Hannah, Belle of Savann
From: GUEST,The Invisible Blazoona
Date: 02 Sep 00 - 10:31 AM

Cliff "Ukulele Ike" Edwards' version of this song is well worth a listn if you can find a copy.

What an under rated talent he was.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hard Hearted Hannah, Belle of Savann
From: Bud Savoie
Date: 02 Sep 00 - 11:14 AM

I don't think anyone sang like Ella. My own teenage daughter has discovered her on CD reissues and loves her.

Subject: Lyr Add: HARD HEARTED HANNAH (Yellen-Bigelow-Bates
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 16 Mar 02 - 05:48 PM

Copied from http://www.heptune.com/lyrics/hardhear.html

HARD HEARTED HANNAH
(Jack Yellen, Bob Bigelow, and Charles Bates)

VERSE 1: In old Savannah, I said Savannah,
The weather there is nice and warm!
The climate's of a Southern brand,
But here's what I don't understand:
They got a gal there, a pretty gal there,
Who's colder than an Arctic storm,
She's got a heart just like a stone,
Even the icemen leave her alone!

CHORUS 1: They call her Hard Hearted Hannah,
The vamp of Savannah,
The meanest gal in town;
Leather is tough, but Hannah's heart is tougher,
She's a gal who loves to see men suffer!
To tease 'em, and thrill 'em, to torture and kill 'em,
Is her delight, they say,
I saw her at the seashore with a great big can,
There was Hannah pouring water on a drowning man!
She's Hard Hearted Hannah, the vamp of Savannah, GA!

CHORUS 2: They call her Hard Hearted Hannah,
The vamp of Savannah,
The meanest gal in town;
Talk of your cold, refrigeratin' mama,
Brother, she's a polar bear's pajama!
To tease 'em, and thrill 'em, to torture and kill 'em,
Is her delight, they say,
An evening spent with Hannah sittin' on your knees,
Is like drivin' through Alaska in your BVDs.
She's just Hard Hearted Hannah, the vamp of Savannah, GA!

[As sung by Rosa Henderson and the Choo Choo Jazzers, recorded 9/1924, and reissued on Rosa Henderson, "Complete Recorded Works in Chronological Order, vol. 3 (1924-1926)," Document Records, DOCD-5403. Copyright is owned by Warner Bros.]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hard Hearted Hannah, Belle of Savann
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 16 Mar 02 - 08:38 PM

I have a CD of Pete Kelly's Blues that has Ella singing Hard-hearted Hannah on it. Cost a fortune to get it from Japan, but I had a yen for it (hi, Art.) If you want a copy of it, I'd be happy to send you one..

Jerry

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hard Hearted Hannah, Belle of Savann
From: Genie
Date: 12 Aug 02 - 12:17 AM

Jerry R., If there's a way I could get a copy of that Ella Fitzgeral recording, please let know. I love this song!

Genie

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hard Hearted Hannah, Belle of Savann
From: 12-stringer
Date: 12 Aug 02 - 02:54 PM

For Cliff Edwards' great recording of this song, mentioned earlier in this thread (he sounds like a one-man skiffle band):

http://www.redhotjazz.com/songs/ike/HardHeartedHannah.ram

Numerous other Edwards recordings also housed here, and much else to delight vo-de-o-do lovers.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hard Hearted Hannah, Belle of Savann
From: Amos
Date: 12 Aug 02 - 06:49 PM

That RA is an absolutye crackup, 12-stringer!! Thanks for the grin!! Haven't heard that song since I was knee-high to a taxidancer!!

A

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hard Hearted Hannah, Belle of Savann
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 30 Jun 06 - 02:16 AM

Two questions about this song.

Fistly, I have a distinct memory of hearing the song sung with the couplet "Making love to Hannah in a big armchair, is like walking through Alaska in your underwear", instead of "An evening spent with Hannah sittin' on your knees, Is like drivin' through Alaska in your BVDs".

I can't remember who sang it, it may have been George Melly (a multi-talented British jazz singer ) but then again it may not. If it was in fact George Melly did he change the lyric to make it more comprehensible to a British audience, or was his the original lyric and did Ella tone it down as being slightly too raunchy ?

Which brings me to my second question. I know that BVDs means underwear, but why are they called BVDs ?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hard Hearted Hannah, Belle of Savann
From: MartinRyan
Date: 30 Jun 06 - 05:20 AM

I'm getting flashbacks! Wasn't it Whispering Paul McDowell (complete with speaking trumpet) who had a hit with this in the '60's with The Temperance Seven?

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hard Hearted Hannah, Belle of Savann
From: Snuffy
Date: 30 Jun 06 - 08:40 AM

It was a hit for the Temperance Seven in the early 1960's and Whispering Paul McDowell did indeed sing the line you remember, Murray, rather than the BVD version.

As for the meaning of BVD, that's always puzzled me too. Both Vest & Drawers?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hard Hearted Hannah, Belle of Savann
From: GUEST,Maritn Ryan
Date: 30 Jun 06 - 08:56 AM

Jeez!

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hard Hearted Hannah, Belle of Savann
From: Snuffy
Date: 30 Jun 06 - 09:02 AM

Well, who'd a thunk it? not Black Velvet Dainties, just another IBM, GEC, FHW, etc

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hard Hearted Hannah, Belle of Savann
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 30 Jun 06 - 11:03 AM

The Red Hot Jazz Archive has recordings of HARD HEARTED HANNAH by these artists, all from 1924:
Cliff Edwards "Ukulele Ike" - Click to play.
Herb Wiedoeft's Cinderella Roof Orchestra - Click to play (instrumental only)
Lucille Hegamin - Click to play
Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra - Click to play (instrumental only)
Rosa Henderson and the Choo Choo Jazzers - Click to play
The Little Ramblers - Click to play (instrumental only)
The Varsity Eight (a.k.a. The California Ramblers) - Click to play (instrumental only)

RHJA also lists recordings by these performers (but they don't have a playable file):
Dolly Kay
Eleuterio Yribarren Jazz Band
Fletcher Henderson Orchestra
Harry Reser
Henderson's Club Alabam Orchestra
Sigler's Birmingham Merrymakers
Windy City Jazzers

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hard Hearted Hannah, Belle of Savann
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 30 Jun 06 - 11:21 AM

A couple of people mentioned Cliff Edwards' great version of this song. Another good version (dedicated to Cliff Edwards) is by the late Duck Donald on his and Cathy Fink's album KISSING IS A CRIME.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hard Hearted Hannah, Belle of Savann
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 30 Jun 06 - 12:00 PM

Many thanks to Snuffy and Martin Ryan for clearing that one up. Thank you too Jim for the links to all these versions.

I would assume that the original lyric by Jack Yellen was in fact the "...knees/BVDs..." one, but I have to confess I prefer Paul McDowell's inspired emendation.

I note that Cliff Edwards sings an additional couplet which appears to be unique to his version:

"Why, she's so cold you'd even catch pneumonia from her breath
She kissed an Eskimo, and the fool froze to death"

Presumably this is the much-loved "folk process" at work ...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hard Hearted Hannah (the Vamp of Savannah
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 05 Jul 06 - 01:11 AM

According to Indiana University Sheet Music Collections, the composers of HARD HEARTED HANNAH are Jack Yellen, Bob Bigelow, and Charles Bates; and the publisher is Ager, Yellen & Bornstein, Inc.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hard Hearted Hannah (the Vamp of Sava
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 05 Jul 06 - 01:27 AM

For playing (piano) and vocals....this is one of my TOP TEN.

Fun little piece with a lot vamp and camp.

Chord progressions are fun, easy, consistant (with one exception) and a little jazzy to the un-traind ear.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: Lyr Req: Hard Hearted Hannah (Yellen-Bigelow-Bates
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 28 Oct 12 - 06:37 PM

Just thought I would draw attention to this absolutely outstanding version of Hard Hearted Hannah by Vincent Pasternak. The vocals and guitar work are both stellar.

I had never heard of Vincent Pasternak before today, but googling him, I gather that he performed for a long time around New England.

I very much regret that I never saw him perform during my time there ...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hard Hearted Hannah (Yellen-Bigelow-Bates
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 28 Oct 12 - 09:50 PM

I just listened to a recording on Spotify, by Marjorie Royer, from the album "Jazz & Blues on Edison, Volume 1" (2006) and it has the following additional verse:

VERSE 2: You ought to see her, you ought to see her.
Outside she's just as soft as silk,
But socially she's hard as nails.
She's just a gal who hates the males.
And when she's nasty, oh, when she's nasty,
She's 'bout as sweet as sour milk.
Nothin' she like better than
Feedin' poisoned food to a man.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hard Hearted Hannah (Yellen-Bigelow-Bates
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 30 Jul 14 - 03:09 AM

In the DT, incorrectly attributed to Milton Ager, one of the publishers, in the DT Lyrics.

Subject: RE: ADD: Hard Hearted Hannah (Yellen-Bigelow-Bates)
From: GUEST,Trombone 55
Date: 13 Jan 18 - 04:34 PM

I was also caught by the line about BVD's. I knew they were a brand name of underwear, but assumed they were not around when the song came out in 1924. Per Wikipedia "The brand was founded in 1876 and named after the three founders of the New York City firm Bradley, Voorhees & Day (thus "B.V.D.").[1] The term came to be used, however incorrectly, for any underwear in the style popularized by BVD." Live and learn. I would agree the lyric was changed by British singers to "underwear" to make the reference comprehensible to their audiences.