The words of "An Old Austrian" match the tune I know for "Peter's Fountain", certainly... and the similarities, particularly in the syllabic chorus, can't be denied!


Once an Austrian went yodeling,
(alt. 'An old Austrian went yodeling')
on a mountain so high,
When along came a koo-koo bird,
interrupting his cry. (chorus)

Yo - Le - Ah ...
Yo-de-le-ah ke-kea, yodeleah koo-koo;
Yo-de-le-ah ke-kea, yodeleah koo-koo;
Yo-de-le-ah ke-kea, yodeleah koo-koo;
Yo-de-le-ah ke-kea, ah yo.

Once an Austrian went yodeling,
on a mountain so high,
When along came a St Bernard,
interrupting his cry. (chorus--"ruff! ruff!")

Once an Austrian went yodeling,
on a mountain so high,
When along came a dairy cow,
interrupting his cry. (chorus--"moo!")

It's obviously a camp-song version, with the substituted animal songs, and the rather facetious 'interrupting'. I'm looking for a midi to check the tune!