The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #2385   Message #1129478
Posted By: Lighter
04-Mar-04 - 08:59 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Mademoiselle from Armentières
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mademoiselle from Armentières
The "plot" of "Frau Wirtin" ("The Innkeeper's Wife") by Uhland bears just enough resemblance to the "Skiboo/Snapoo/Taboo/Parlez-Vous" song
to suggest that the latter is a cynical, bawdy parody of it, but it is rash to claim that there "must" be a direct connection.

Will post an English translation shortly unless someone beats me to it. The assertion that "Skiboo," etc., stems from the Napoleonic Wars
has no factual basis, though it was apparently known, in some form, as early as the 1870's.

Q, thanks for the leads on "Skibo."