The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #136728   Message #3124109
Posted By: Jim Dixon
29-Mar-11 - 10:46 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: I Taught Her How to Play (Gracie Fields)
Subject: Lyr Add: I TAUGHT HER HOW TO PLAY (Gracie Fields)
Found at Bill Hanks' web site - Click to play an mp3 file. Here's my transcription.

"Broop" is pronounced with a trill on the R. I think it's meant to represent the sound of a fast rising arpeggio on the piano. The tune, if it's not exactly CHOPSTICKS, it's pretty close.


I TAUGHT HER HOW TO PLAY (BR-OOP! BR-OOP!)
Words and music by Arthur Le Clerq, ©1934.
As sung by Gracie Fields

I taught our Susannah
To play the pie-anna
And night after night by her side I would sit.
When she played a crotchet,
I'd carefully watch it.
I wasn't quite sure of which note she would hit.
I taught her how to play (Broop! Broop!),
To play (Broop! Broop!), to play (Broop! Broop!).
I taught her how to play (Broop! Broop!).
I wish I had taught her to dance.
For hours and hours I'd sit with Susannah
And watch her practice on the pie-anna.
I taught her how to play (Broop! Broop!)
And now she sells ... and tripe(?).

When she played Killarney,
The neighbours went barmy,
For what she was playing they couldn't quite tell.
She pushed down the pedal
And pumped on the treadle.
The key it was G but it sounded like L.
I taught her how to play (Broop! Broop!),
To play (Broop! Broop!), to play (Broop! Broop!).
I taught her how to play (Broop! Broop!).
Forgive me for what I have done!
Her eyes would blink her lips they would tighten.
She'd strike a note but never the right 'un.
I taught her how to play (Broop! Broop!)
And she won a prize for sweet peas(?).

She played at the College
Of Musical Knowledge.
They gave the prelude of Rachmaninoff.
The judges' committee
Said, "Oh, what a pity!"
They all thought the best part was where she left off.
I taught her how to play (Broop! Broop!),
To play (Broop! Broop!), to play (Broop! Broop!).
I taught her how to play (Broop! Broop!).
That's why she's so good on the flute.
As it was written, that's what's forgotten
She played the music as it was rotten
I taught her how to play (Broop! Broop!)
And now she is playing the harp – sichord!