Traditional Mummers (Phila.) Songs

Subject: Traditional Mummers (Phila.) Songs
From: GUEST,Gerald Bergen
Date: 08 May 02 - 01:08 AM

To All:

I am writing to find any books, sheet music, websites, etc. on some of the "traditional" songs that are used during the Mummers New Year Parade in Philadelphia every (well, semi-obviously) January 1st.

As way of reference, if there were an official song of the parade ever year is "Oh Dem Golden Slippers" by James Bland, (which, mysteriously, is titled as "Golden Slippers" on this website) but there are several other songs that are played that I only know fragments of tunes for, and several stanzas which give me "bupkis" in websearches. If it helps, several of the songs also used as "trad. favs." are "(I'm Looking Over A) Four Leaf Clover", and one damnably obscure song that ends its chorus, Hello, hello, hello...what a wonderful word, hello."

Of course, any and all help is greatly appreciated, etc.

Regards,

Gerald Bergen

Subject: RE: Traditional Mummers (Phila.) Songs
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 08 May 02 - 05:49 AM

Apparently the "Hello Hello Hello" song is from the movie "Crazy People"--which is why it didn't register with me as a Mummer's song. I grew up in Philly in the 50s and 60s, and went to many a Mummer's Parade, when they used to go all the way up Broad St. You might check out Mummers.com, or try contacting the Mummers Museum; that would be a first step to getting in contact with someone from one of the string bands, who could probably help you with finding the music. Good luck!

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: Traditional Mummers (Phila.) Songs
From: GUEST,Jennifer
Date: 08 May 02 - 07:40 AM

I don't know how helpful this will be but I live NEXT to the Mummers Museum and on 2nd Street where all the Mummer's "clubs" are. They even have concerts behind my house every Tuesday in warm weather. I know a handful of "mummers" as well. So if you want me to go to the museum, mail you stuff, ask questions, whatever, let me know. I wish I had something more on hand but I just throw a huge party on Jan. 1, dance in the street all day, and that's the extent of my mummery. [e-mail] Jennifer

Subject: RE: Traditional Mummers (Phila.) Songs
From: SharonA
Date: 08 May 02 - 11:37 AM

Traditional Mummers songs... (as opposed to the playing of current popular music by the string bands during their routines, right?)... Hmmm...

The only one that comes to mind right now is "Alabama Jubilee". Sheet music here: http://www-libraries.colorado.edu/cgi-bin/sheetmusic.pl?RagAlabama&Rag&main

Subject: RE: Traditional Mummers (Phila.) Songs
From: MMario
Date: 08 May 02 - 11:47 AM

Gerald - try the Levy Sheet music collection

Subject: RE: Traditional Mummers (Phila.) Songs
From: M.Ted
Date: 09 May 02 - 01:04 AM

As a rule of thumb, the Mummer's Standards would be any of the old minstrel show standards--You can be assured that the bands have played it ome time or another--To find the tunes that they do the most, the best thing would be to contact one of the clubs(Ferko, Frailinger, Avalon, and Quaker City are always among the top bands) and ask if they have a songbook available--many of them do--

PS If you want to see the parade, the best thing is to catch the "Show of Shows" where all the bands do their Mummers Day routines inside--it is usually at the end of February, and, unlike the parade, where everything is done for the TV cameras-- you can really see it!

Subject: RE: Traditional Mummers (Phila.) Songs
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 09 May 02 - 02:52 AM

Yeah, but do they sell soft pretzels with mustard?

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: Traditional Mummers (Phila.) Songs
From: M.Ted
Date: 09 May 02 - 01:29 PM

Do you mean at the "Show of Shows"? It's in Philly, so that isn't even a question--you should know that!--But it's better to to bring them from that little bakery on Sansom--you must remember it--you can get a sheet of pretzels still hot from the oven, for about two bucks worth is lunch for three of four people--and they've got pretzel hot dogs, too!

Subject: RE: Traditional Mummers (Phila.) Songs
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 09 May 02 - 06:23 PM

My dad used to sell pretzels on Girard Ave. as a boy; he would pay 1/2 cent apiece and sell them for a penny. He used to say that years later whenever he wanted to buy something he would think of how many pretzels he would need to sell in order to get that much money. By the time I was a kid they were up to 10 cents each, 3 for a quarter. (From the little white cart with windows, and the jar of mustard with a brush attached to the lid...)

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: Traditional Mummers (Phila.) Songs
From: SharonA
Date: 09 May 02 - 06:52 PM

Mmmmm... yum! That does it; now I have to go get some soft pretzels so my mouth will stop watering. Just thinking about the "crunch" of those big salt crystals and that lovely doughey smell and, ooooh, the tang of the mustard... Gotta go; I'm off to spoil my dinner now!

Subject: RE: Traditional Mummers (Phila.) Songs
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 06 Jun 17 - 02:33 PM

My parents actually had this on a 45 RPM by the Ferko String Band.
Golden Slippers on one side and Hello on the flip side. You might check with the older members of Ferko or a retired member.