Maybe this was inspired by the previous song: “The Ghost of the Violin.” There was also one called “The Ghost of the Saxophone” but I haven’t found any sheet music or a recording.

From the sheet music at Indiana University:


THE GHOST OF THE UKULELE
Words and music by James Brockman and Jack Smith, ©1916.

1. Last night in dreams, I could plainly see
The land of Honolulu far across the sea.
I was on the beach at Waikiki
When a million ukuleles started chasing me.
Bing, bing!—That’s the sound that’s haunting me.
Bing, bing!—The ukulele melody.

CHORUS: That’s the ghost, that’s the ghost, that’s the ghost of the ukulele,
Strumming gaily.
How they sway when they play on the gay little ukulele, playing daily!
First, it makes you sad,
Then it makes you glad.
Take it away, I say!
Take it away, I say!
Take it away, ’cause it’s driving me mad.
That’s the ghost, that’s the ghost, that’s the ghost of the ukulele.
Hear it daily; no matter where I go, it follows me.
(There it is, there it is, there it is!)
My dignity I’ve tried to keep,
But I did the hula-hula in my sleep,
From the ghost of the ukulele melody.

2. When I awoke, I was full of fright
From hearing ukulele music played all night.
I locked the door, turned out the light,
Crawled back into my bed, and hid right out of sight.
Bing, bing!—There’s that melody again,
Bing, bing!—That sneaky creepy funny strain.

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YouTube has recordings by:
Peerless Quartet, Victor 18254, 1917.
M. Ryan Taylor.