Lyr Add: Take Your Man around the Corner

Subject: Lyr Add: 'Take Your Man Around The Corner'
From: John M.
Date: 27 Apr 05 - 01:11 PM

Hello everyone,

Below is a traditional mildly ribald sorority song titled:  'Take Your Man Around The Corner'  (recording)

                Do you sing this song?  If so when/where did you learn it?

Any help is appreciated.

Sincerely,

John Mehlberg
[e-mail]
~
My, mostly traditional, bawdy songs, toasts and recitations website: www.immortalia.com
~

TAKE YOUR MAN AROUND THE CORNER  (recording)
(Tune - I've Been Working On The Railroad)

Take your man around the corner
Where the lights are low
Put you left hand on his shoulder
And your right hand way down low
When he starts to shake and quiver and raise his voice in glee
Tell him that's the secret handshake of the good old Delta G.

Notes:

This was recorded 14 April 2005 as sung by an anonymous member of the Delta Gamma sorority.  A text of this song is in Ed Cray's Erotic Muse pg. 354 to the tune of 'Wake the Town and Tell the People'.  

A variant of this song with an unknown tune is found on the Richard A Reuss college songs field recording in the Archive of Tradition music under the title 'Just Put Her in the Corner' and is discussed on pgs. 44-45 of Reuss' master's thesis 'An Analytical Survey of College Songs from Oral Tradition'.

 

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Take Your Man around the Corner
From: John M.
Date: 19 Jun 05 - 12:26 AM

Here is another version of this song from the Theta Chi fraternity in 1972:

SECRET HAND SHAKE OF THETA CHI
(Tune - I've Been Working on the Railroad)

Take your girl into the corner
Where the lights are low
Place one hand around her bosom
And the other down below
When she starts to shake and quiver
That's the reason why
Tell her that's the secret hand shake of dear ol'e Thta Chi

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Take Your Man around the Corner
From: John M.
Date: 19 Jun 05 - 12:50 AM

Here is a current version from the Pi Lambda Phi fraternity. See here: http://www.elliottsamazing.com/pilam.html

SECRET HAND SHAKE
(Tune of I've been working on the railroad)

Take your date into the corner, where the lights are low.
Place one hand on her bossom and the other down below.
When she starts to shake and quiver, and she asks you why.
Tell here that's the secret hand shake of Pi Lambda Phi.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Take Your Man around the Corner
From: John M.
Date: 19 Jun 05 - 01:02 AM

Here is a 2004 version from a Pi Beta Phi sorority which combines it with another ditty (retrieved from here):

Way above a Pi Phi's garter, way above her knee...
lies the secret of her honor...
her virginity.
Roll her over oh so gently,
roll her in the grass. T
his is what men live and die for,
a piece of Pi Phi a*s.
Take him to a deep dark corner
where the lights are low.
Place a hand upon his shoulder,
the other down below.
When he starts to shake and shiver
and he asks you "Why?".
Tell him it's the secret handshake of Pi Beta Phi.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Take Your Man around the Corner
From: John M.
Date: 19 Jun 05 - 01:10 AM

Here is a version from the Sigma Chi fraternity. See here: http://www.detroitsig.com/songs.htm

Sigma Chi Waltz

You waltz her in the corner, lad
You hold her close like this,
You put your arms around her waist
and on her lips a kiss,
And if she starts to murmur,
or if she starts to sigh,
You tell her it's the grand ol' seal
Of dear, old Sigma Chi !

I waltzed her in the corner, sir
I held her close like this,
I put my arms around her waist
and on her lips a kiss,
She did not start to murmur,
She did not start to sigh,
And now we have a legacy
To dear, old Sigma Chi !

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Take Your Man around the Corner
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 17 Aug 05 - 08:52 PM

"Around the corner, and under a tree,
A Yankee sailor made love to me."
An extended version of the song with the form and tune of the one with the Sergeant-major used to be sung in the U. S. Military. I haven't been able to remember or find it.

Posting here on the off-chance--

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Take Your Man around the Corner
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Mar 09 - 11:51 AM

our version is:

Take your man into the corner
Turn the lights down low
Put one hand up on his shoulder
And the other down below
When he starts to shake and quiver
And his face fills with glee
Tell him that's the secret handshake
Of a Goddamn ALPHA PHI

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Take Your Man around the Corner
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Jul 09 - 10:36 PM

Our version is like this:

Take your man around the corner
Where the lights are low
Put your left hand on his shoulder
And your right hand way down low
When he starts to smile gleefully
tell him how it is
That's the secret handshake
of a Delta Phi Nu sis!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Take Your Man around the Corner
From: GUEST,Beast
Date: 21 Nov 09 - 06:32 PM

Take your girl around the corner,
Turn the lights down low.
Put one hand upon her breast,
And the other down below.
When she starts to quiver,
And gets the twinkle in her eye,
Tell her THAT's the secret handshake of Pi Kappa Phi.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Take Your Man around the Corner
From: GUEST,Alisa
Date: 12 May 10 - 11:50 PM

1981 AOII
Take your man into the corner
Where the lights are low
Put your hand up n his shoulder
And the other down below WAY BELOW!
When he starts to shake and shiver
And he asks you why
Tell him that's the secret handshake
Of a ALpha Omicron Pi

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Take Your Man around the Corner
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Oct 10 - 03:06 AM

Get'cher Girlfriend
by The Men of TKE

Get'cher girlfriend
In the corner
Where the lights are way down low
Put your one hand on her shoulder
And the other down below
When she starts to shake and shiver
Wonders what is going on
Tell her it's the secret handshake of Tau Kappa Epsilon!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Take Your Man around the Corner
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 01:20 PM

"Take your boyfriend"

Take your boyfriend 'round the corner
When the lights are dim and low.
Put your one hand on his shoulder
And the other down below.

When he starts to shake and quiver
And his eyes are filled with glee,
You can tell him that's a handshake
From Phi Mu Fraternity!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Take Your Man around the Corner
From: GUEST,KEEP LOOKING
Date: 26 Sep 11 - 11:10 AM

I am also looking for the words to the Song, Around the Corner and under the tree, sargent Major made love to me?
I don't know the name of the song?

Subject: Lyr Add: AROUND THE CORNER (Ben Selvin)
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 26 Sep 11 - 11:43 AM

I wonder if this song by Art Kassel & Gus Kahn is the one these are based on: Around the Corner".

It starts:

  Around the corner and under the tree,
  The gallant major said "Stroll with me;"
  Hm I said "Nay, nay!" (Nay, nay)
  I said "No, no!" (No, no)
  But ever since I've been there once.


Perhaps John can compare the tune with those he has. Worlcat shows the date as 1930.


Re: the sergeant major version, google books shows an entry: The Wonder of God's Providence in the life of Harry D'Monte by Lynda Samuel, 2008:

  Around the corner and under the tree,
  The sergeant major made love to me.
  He kissed me once, he kissed me twice.
  It wasn't just the thing to do,
  But, gosh, it was so nice.


There's also this at Around the corner. I can't tell if it's the complete lyrics to the Kassim/Kahn song I mentioned, though it has the words from both versions quoted above.


Ben Selvin - Around the corner

(Around the corner)

He was a major of Grenadiers
Grenadiers are handsome and tall

(He was a dashing brute
He was a dashing brute)

She was the fairest in all Algiers

In Algiers, the fairest of all

(She was so sweet and cute

She was so sweet and cute)

He had to leave her behind and so
The so and so had broken her heart

(He didn't care a hoot
He didn't care a hoot)

She has a terrible tale of woe
Tale of woe that she will impart

Around the corner and under the tree
The gallant major said 'stroll with me'
I said 'nay, nay',
I said 'no, no'
But ever since I've been there once
I always want to go

Around the corner, and under the tree
The handsome major made love to me
He kissed me once, he kissed me twice
It wasn't just the thing to do
But gosh, it was so nice

(Around the corner and under the tree
The breeze was sighing, and so was he)

He held my hand, he talked so grand
Then went away and stayed away
While ev'ry night I stand
(Around the corner and under the tree)
The cruel major's forgotten me
He wrote a note, here's how it went
(I would have married you
But couldn't get my wife's consent.)


Mick

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Take Your Man around the Corner
From: GUEST,Learned this version in late ‘70s…
Date: 25 Jun 23 - 05:05 PM

at a college that shall remain nameless. I was GDI (God damn independent), but knew a lot of Alpha Phi Omega brothers (the chapter had not yet pledged women).

To the tune of “Annie Lisle” (1857), later adopted as the tune of the “Alpha Phi Omega Toast Song” (1925). Both are available on YouTube.
——
Back your girl up in the corner,
Turn the lights down low,
Place one hand upon her bosom,
The other down below.
When she starts to squirm and whimper,
Tell her so she’ll know,
That’s the secret handshake of the
Men of APO.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Take Your Man around the Corner
From: Joe_F
Date: 30 Jun 23 - 09:12 PM

My mother had (heaven knows whence)

Around the corner,and under a tree
A sugar daddy made love to me.
He kissed me once, he kissed me twice --
It wasn't just the thing to do,
But golly, it was nice
Around the corner, ad inf.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Take Your Man around the Corner
From: and e
Date: 07 Jul 23 - 07:50 PM

AROUND THE CORNER

He was a major of Grenedier
Grenediers are handsome and tall
She was the fairest of all Algiers
In Algiers, the fairest of all

He had to leave behind and so
The so-and-so had broken her heart
She has a terrible tale of woe
Tale of woe that she will impart

Around the corner and under the tree
The gallant major said 'stroll with me'
I said ' nay nay'
I said 'no no'
But ever since I've been there once I always want to go
Around the corner and under the tree
The handsome major made love to me
He kissed me once
He kissed me twice
It wasn't just a thing to do, but gosh it was so nice

He was a man with an oily tongue
Oily tongues tell many a tale
She was so trusting and oh so young
Oh so young and now she's so pale

He wore a drooping mustachio
The one you know that curls on the end
Girls oughta know a mustachio
Doesn't grow on any good friend

Around the corner and under the tree
The breeze was sighing and so was he
He held my hand
He talked so grand
Then went away and stayed away while every night I stand
Around the corner and under the tree
The cruel major's forgotten me
He wrote a note
Here's how it went
'I would've married you but couldn't get my wife's consent’

"Around the Corner" by Ben Selvin, released in 1930 on Velvet Tone Records.

Listen to the song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EODdd5C4x4k

The tune used for this song doesn't match the any of the "Take Your Girlfriend Around the Corner". But it is pretty risque for 1930.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Take Your Man around the Corner
From: and e
Date: 21 Mar 24 - 11:20 PM

Just put her in a corner and hold her tight like this.
Just put your arms around her waist and on her lips a kiss (if she'll let you).
And if she starts to murmur, and if she starts to sigh.
Just tell her it's the sacred seal of old Phi Kappa Psi.

Chorus : Hi, hi, hi, Phi Kappa Psi,
Live, never die, never Phi Kappa Psi,
Hi, hi, hi, Phi Kappa Psi,
Live, never die, never Phi Kappa Psi.

I put her in a corner and held her tight like this.
I put my arms around her waist and on her lips a kiss (and she let me).
She didn’t start to murmur, she didn't start to sigh.
And now we have a legacy to old Phi Kappa Psi.

Collected from Linda Rethmeyer, Alpha Xi Delta sorority at Indiana University,
December 8, 1963. When sung on formal or "proper" occasions, the second verse
is omitted. Linda said that the song is known by many sororities on the Indiana
University campus.

The tune for "Just put her in a corner" is very similar to "'Twas Only an Old Beer Bottle / Sing a Song of Cities".


Listen online here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzH8W8CSLXc

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Take Your Man around the Corner
From: and e
Date: 22 Mar 24 - 10:06 PM

Sing a Song of Colleges

Sing a song of colleges, I'll tell you where to go;
Oxford for its knowledges,
Cornell to learn to row (up and down the stream)
Harvard for its chappy lads,
Yale for pep and vim;
Northwestern for its pretty girls,
For good fellows, Oberlin.

Just put her in a corner, and hold her tight like this,
Just put your arms around her waist--
And on her lips a kiss (if she'll let you)
And if she starts to whimper,
And if she won't give in
Just tell her it's the sacred seal--
Of Dear Old Oberlin.

Just put him in a corner, and hold him tight like this,
Just put your arms around his waist--
And on his lips a kiss (if he'll let you)
And if he seems reluctant,
And if he seems too shy,
You can be your bottom dollar that--
He's not an Oberlin guy.

From a song sheet passed out at Oberlin college in 1963.

See online here: https://www.t2buck.com/happen.htm

This text shows the connection between the "Sing of Song of Cities
(Only an Old Beer Bottle)" and "Put Him in the Corner" as collected
by Reuss in 1963.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Take Your Man around the Corner
From: and e
Date: 22 Mar 24 - 10:26 PM

Tell Me Why (The Kappa Pin Song)

Tell me why she wears his pin;
Tell me why she's strong for him;
Tell me why she is so true;
She told me why, now I'll tell you:

Because he is a Kappa Bold;
Because he is a knight of old;
Because he wears the Kappa shield,
That is the reason she had to yield.

So dance her in a corner, hold her tight like this.
Put your arms around her waist, and on her lips a kiss-(if she'll let you).
And if she starts to murmur, if she starts to cry;
Just tell her it's the sacred seal of Kappa Alpha Psi.

Track #14 on the Black Greek Soundz Kappa Alpha Psi CD. 2002.
This CD contains authentic songs and chants.

Part of a medley. The tune is "Sing a Song of Cities /
'Twas Only an Old Beer Bottle".

Link to the "Dance her in a corner..." part: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNpdMCwpwmg&t=98s

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Take Your Man around the Corner
From: and e
Date: 22 Mar 24 - 10:41 PM

Sweetheart Song

Just put her in a corner,
And hold her tight like this,
Just put your arms around her waist,
And on her lips a kiss, if she’ll let you;
And it she starts to murmur,
And if she starts to cry,
Just tell her it’s the sacred seal, of
Beta Theta Pi.

Her eyes are blue as Beta skies,
Her cheeks are like a rose,
She’s different from all other girls,
How I love her no one knows;
And in my fondest memories,
Never shall we part,
For she is my dear one, and I am her dear one,
She’s my sweetheart in Phi Kai Phi.

Pg 37 of Beta Tunes: Songs of Beta Theta Pi. PDF.

Retrieved from here: http://216.197.122.36/chapter/officersupport/chorister/Tune.pdf

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Take Your Man around the Corner
From: and e
Date: 22 Mar 24 - 10:51 PM

Push Her In A Corner

Just push her in a corner and hold her tight like this
Just put your arms around her waist, and on her lips a kiss
And if she starts to murmur, or if she starts to cry
Just tell her it's the sacred seal, of Old Phi Kappa Psi.

Raunchy Songs. songsheets 1991-1992. UCLA.

Link to 1992 Los Angeles Times article discussing the songsheets:

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-03-06-me-3482-story.html

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Take Your Man around the Corner
From: and e
Date: 22 Mar 24 - 10:56 PM

SEAL SONG

Just put her in a corner
And hold her tight like this.
Just put your arms around her waist
And on her lips a kiss.
And if she starts to murmur,
Or if she starts to frown,
Just tell her it's the sacred seal
Of THETA EPSILON.

Pg 10, THETA EPSILON OMICRON IOTA FRATERNITY PLEDGE MANUAL. ca 1973.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Take Your Man around the Corner
From: and e
Date: 22 Mar 24 - 11:28 PM

So, you waltz him in the corner
And squeeze him tight like this
You put your arms around his neck
And on his lips you kiss (if he lets you)

And if he starts to murmur
And if he starts to melt
Just tell him that's a good 'ol sign that you're a Kappa Delt!

So, I waltzed him in the corner
And squeezed him tight like this
I put my arms around his neck
And on his lips I kissed ('cause he let me)

He didn't start to murmur
But golly did he melt
And now we have a legacy for dear old Kappa Delt!

Retrieved from http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/archive/index.php/t-11358.html 2024-03-22.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Take Your Man around the Corner
From: and e
Date: 22 Mar 24 - 11:52 PM

SACRED SEAL OF SIGMA CHI
(Tune: Just an Old Beer Bottle)

Waltz her in the corner,
And hold her tight like this;
And put your arms around her waist,
And on her lips a kiss,
And if she starts to murmur,
Or if she starts to sign,
Just tell her it's the sacred seal
Of dear old Sigma Chi.

Colorado Sings. Pg 40. Undated [1950s]

Snippet view only:

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Colorado_Sings/CV48AQAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=corner+%22tight+like+this%22+kiss&dq=corner+%22tight+like+this%22+kiss&printsec=frontcover

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Take Your Man around the Corner
From: and e
Date: 23 Mar 24 - 12:00 AM

We traditionally do a candle passing, I do thing I'll
add that into the reception. Also, my grandbig sister just suggested
all my sisters sing a lighthearted, semi raunchy song to FH...
Its one of our "unofficial" traditions that usually occurs when
everyone's had a few too many to drink. Lyrics are below---
they crack me up everytime:


TAKE YOUR MAN AROUND THE CORNER (recording)
(Tune - I've Been Working On The Railroad)

Take your man around the corner
Where the lights are low
Put you arm around his shoulder
And the other hand down below.
When he starts to shake and quiver
And he shouts in glee.. YIPPIE
Tell him that's the secret handshake of the Phi Mu Fraternity.

Posted by MrsMorales on January 7, 2015 to the weddingwire.com forum.

See online here: https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/incorporating-your-soroity-into-your-wedding-day/5abaa5e652f7241a.html