The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #23959   Message #3811756
Posted By: Jim Dixon
28-Sep-16 - 12:11 PM
Thread Name: Songs about money ($$$$$$$$$$)
Subject: Lyr Add: AFLOAT ON A FIVE-DOLLAR NOTE
You can see the sheet music at The University of Illinois at Chicago, and hear a 1906 Edison recording by Arthur Collins & Byron G. Harlan at YouTube:


AFLOAT ON A FIVE-DOLLAR NOTE
Words by Arthur Lamb; music by J. Fred Helf, 1906.

1. Dolly mine, rain or shine,
This is the day we get in line.
Dress'd in your best, follow the rest,
Ev'ryone feeling fine.
You and me, with a V,
Somehow will get along,
While lads the wittiest and girls the prettiest
Join in the merry song.

CHORUS: Hi-lee, hi-lo! Away we go,
Afloat on a five-dollar note.
Shoot the chutes or a trip to the moon,
Blow your dough as with dovey you spoon.
Listen to the band; oh, ain't it grand?
Ev'ryone whistle or shout!
It's so jolly with Dolly by trolley or boat,
Afloat on a five-dollar note.

2. Dolly dear, don't you fear.
Though I am not a financier,
Mister J. P. can't get near me.
He can't control my V.
All but you can skiddoo.
Say, won't we make things hum!
No more a lonely one, since you're my only one,
I guess that's going some.

[The song seems to describe a trip to an amusement park. Was $5 the standard price of admission? That seems like a lot for 1906. It would be something like $135 adjusted for inflation to 2016. "J. P." no doubt refers to J. P. Morgan. "V"=$5, since bills were once marked with Roman numerals.]