The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #37341 Message #2955709
Posted By: Jim Dixon
31-Jul-10 - 11:13 AM
Thread Name: Origins/ADD: Old Grimes / Bohunkus
Subject: Lyr Add: BOHUNKUS
A shorter version of this song was previously posted in the thread The Song Nobody Knows, but since BOHUNKUS didn't seem to be the song that was originally requested in that thread, it didn't seem wise to continue the discussion there. I think this song deserves its own thread.
From Yale Songs, compiled and edited by Frank B. Kellogg* and Thomas G. Shepard (New Haven, Conn.: Shepard & Kellogg, 1882), page 43:
BOHUNKUS.
1. There was a farmer had two sons,
And these two sons were brothers.
Bohunkus was the name of one.
Josephus was the other's.
2. Now, these two boys had suits of clothes,
And they were made for Sunday.
Bohunkus wore his every day;
Josephus his on Monday.
3. Now, these two boys to the theatre went,
Whenever they saw fit.
Bohunkus in the gallery sat;
Josephus in the pit.
4. Now, these two boys are dead and gone.
Long may their ashes rest!
Bohunkus of the cholera died;
Josephus, by request.
5. Now, these two boys their story told,
And they did tell it well.
Bohunkus, he to heaven went;
Josephus he to—Sing-sing.
Note.—It is customary for the leader to "line off" the words, two lines at a time, always ending with "Sing."
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[* The title page identifies Kellogg as "President of the Yale Glee Club of '83." I wondered if this could be the same Frank B. Kellogg (1856-1937) who was U.S. Secretary of State 1925-29, and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1929 for negotiating the Kellogg-Briand Pact. However, Wikipedia says this Kellogg began practicing law in 1877, which makes the identification doubtful.]