Lyr Req: Sugarbush (Josef Marais)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sugarbush (Josef Marais)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 24 Aug 19 - 09:55 PM

Another fascinating performance of "Suikerbossie":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-71zOAeBJQ

Suikerbos, suikerbossie, Radio Kalahari Orkes, RKO, Afrikaans music, Afrikaans musiek, Davie De Lange, Naglooper, Ian Roberts

---

And a recording by Doris Day and Frankie Laine:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqG1U4V0A5k

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sugarbush (Josef Marais)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 May 10 - 05:19 PM

Here's a video of Stef Bos singing the Afrikaans song SUIKERBOSSIE at YouTube. The underlying tune is the same, but the mood is much different from the Doris Day/Frankie Laine rendering. It sounds rather plaintive, or perhaps nostalgic.

Also, although I don't understand Afrikaans at all, I'm pretty sure he sings several verses that are different from what is printed above.

These instrumental interpretations are probably more typical:

a guitar and concertina arrangement

piano accordion

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sugarbush (Josef Marais)
From: GUEST,Harlan
Date: 08 May 10 - 04:57 AM

Every weekday morning at 6am in the early 1960s, famous DJ Herb Oscar Anderson "HOA" on WABC in New York City would sing this song to the accompaniment of Bert Kaempfert's song "That Happy Feeling." Yes indeed, Kaempfert's song was really a version of Sugar Bush, that native South African song. Furthermore, HOA is from Minnesota and worked at WDGY in Minneapolis before coming to WABC. Here in Minnesota, the song is known as the Sugar Bush Polka. There are a great many polka bands that have played that song. The Vern Meissner Band has a nice version of it.

"That Happy Feeling" was beloved by radio and TV production people. It was also the theme song of the Sander Becker Show on Channel 5 in New York. And it was also used as the theme for a network TV game show. In turn, Bert Kaempfert mined a lot of music from the South Africans. "Skookian" is yet another popular song via that section of the world. And BK had a version of it.

And who was Sandy Becker? He had a kids show on local New York City TV. Before that, he was Dr. Malone on the radio network show "Young Doctor Malone." YDM was early played by Charles Irving, whose real name was Charles Irving Zipperman from Minneapolis.

Ain't life interesting? :)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sugarbush
From: GUEST,Ampers
Date: 29 Dec 09 - 06:45 AM

To: GUEST,songbird

I remember I was at the Overseas Visitors Club (Earls Court) in the sixties and Eve came and gave us a performance. She didn't sing Sugerbush and, at the end, she asked for one request. The entire dance hall shouted as one "Suikerbos" (Sugerbush) and she then sang it, with tears falling down her cheeks, as were a few of the audience!

Subject: Lyr Add: SUIKERBOSSIE / SUGARBUSH (South Africa)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 13 May 09 - 12:13 PM

SUIKERBOSSIE
Words: traditional
Musiek: S. A. Volkswysie; verwork: PIERRE MALAN

(Note: e of he and se require a circumflex)

Suikerbossie, 'k wil jou hê,
Suikerbossie, 'k wil jou hê,
Suikerbossie, 'k wil jou hê;
wat sal jou mamma daarvan sê?

Dan loop ons so onderdeur die maan
dan loop ons so onderdeur die maan,
dan loop ons so onderdeur die maan--
ek en my Suikerbossie saam!

Sy kan nie kos kook nie, haar kos is rou;
sy kan nie tee maak nie, haar tee is flou;
sy kan nie brood bak nie, dis als verbrou:
tog wag ek, Suikerbossie, net vir jou!

O Siena, ek's lief vir jou;
Siena, ek's lief vir jou,
Siena, ek's lief vir jou;
Siena, wat sê jou mamma nou?

From the Boer song site, "Ons Blêrkas van Afrikaanse volksmusiek."
Provided with midi.

Ons blerkas songs

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sugarbush
From: GUEST
Date: 13 May 09 - 10:38 AM

This South African song was originally called 'Suikerbossie'.

In 1933, it was already sung by David de Lange, the most famous Afrikaans singer in the country. Also by Fred Michel, who seems to have written it.

Prior to Boswell and Day, it was aleady recorded as 'Sugarbush' by Josef Marais in 1946 (Decca 78).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sugarbush
From: GUEST,songbird
Date: 03 Feb 08 - 03:13 PM

I was a student of Eve Boswell's for 7 years and to me she was the only one and true singer for Sugar bush and pickin a chicken. She even taught her Cockatiel to sing it with her. She was an amazing person and singer and extremely talented. It saddens me to see that she is not remembered as well as what she should have been. She was fluent in 11 languages, an animal lover and a wonderful cook. And when she sadly passed away at 76, she was still doing shows and teaching. She could sing Jazz and put us all to shame. She was well liked and loved amongst all her students. From the youngest to the eldest. She was a perfectionist and organised everything right down to the last detail.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sugarbush
From: GUEST,r.masiola#libero,it
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 12:50 PM

I remember girlies all dressed up as "little zulu girls" for Carnival parties wonder if there is a French version. This is what I recall of the Italian pop version

Sugar Bush o mia Zulu
tutta zuccchereo sei tu
sai ballare il maraboo
sugar bush o mia zulu

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sugarbush
From: Flash Company
Date: 12 Feb 05 - 10:03 AM

This was around the same time as 'Looking for Henry Lee' and 'Pickin' a Chicken', both recorded by Eve Boswell, both with SA connections.
I used to drive people mad playing them on a mouth-organ.

FC

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sugarbush
From: GUEST,Ali Boy
Date: 12 Feb 05 - 07:36 AM

Thanks fB - perhaps this will shut them up in the pub! I always thought it was Eve Boswell.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sugarbush
From: Leadfingers
Date: 12 Sep 04 - 07:56 AM

Course it was Thanks fB . AAHH ! Memories !!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sugarbush
From: fat B****rd
Date: 12 Sep 04 - 07:52 AM

Eve Boswell was the SA vocalist. Ah ! Family Favourites

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sugarbush
From: Leadfingers
Date: 12 Sep 04 - 06:00 AM

I was going to post that i thought this originally had Soth African connections , but Joe's info is a bit better than mine - I remeber this sung by a Solo girl singer who WAS South African - This was in UK in the early fifties ! Also at the back of my mind is part of it being sung in Afrikaans !

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sugarbush
From: Bert
Date: 12 Sep 04 - 05:27 AM

That's the one guys. Thanks.

Sorry you got zapped while searching Sorkieluv.

Subject: ADD: Sugarbush (Josef Marais)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 12 Sep 04 - 04:28 AM

Now, here's the original, from a paperback songbook called World Folk Songs, by Marais and Miranda, copyright 1964 by Josef Marais.

SUGARBUSH
(words and music by Josef Marais)

Sugarbush, come dance with me
Let the other fellows be
Just dance the Vastrap (or Polka) merrily
Sugarbush, come dance with me.

CHORUS
Oh, we never not going to go home!
We won't go! We won't go!
Oh, we never not going to go phone,
'Cause mother isn't home!

Oh, Sugarbush, I love you so,
I will never let you go.
So don't let your mother know
Sugarbush, I love you so.

Sugarbush, you are so sweet,
You, yes, you I'd like to eat!
If I do, oh, what a treat!
Sugarbush, you are so sweet.
CHORUS

Sugarbush, what shall I do?
Mother's not so pleased with you
Promise me you will be true,
And I'll come along with you.
CHORUS

Notes from Josef Marais: Worldwide popularity was attained by this song when I joined two folk songs (from Africa and Holland) and added an English lyric in 1952. "Suikerbos" is a term of endearment somewhat like "sweetie-pie." The vastrap dance is a kind of polka. Vas (pronounced fuss) meaning firm, and trap (pronounced trupp) meaning step.


I'll post the tune if requested.

Subject: ADDPOP: Sugarbush (Josef Marais)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 12 Sep 04 - 04:10 AM

Sorcha's post is close to correct, but this is direct from the Doris Day/Frankie Laine recording. I wonder why I remember this song so well. It peaked at #7 on the charts in the summer of 1952, when I was not quite four years old.
-Joe Offer-

Sugarbush
(words and music by Josef Marais

Oh, we never not gonna go home!
We won't go, we won't go!
Oh, we never not gonna go phone,
'Cause mother isn't home!

Oh, Sugarbush, I love you so,
I will never let you go
So don't let your mother know
Sugarbush, I love you so

Sugarbush, what can I do
Mother's not so pleased with you
Promise me you will be true
And I'll come along with you

Oh, we never not gonna go home!
We won't go, we won't go!
Oh, we never not gonna go phone,
'Cause mother isn't home!

Sugarbush come dance with me
And let the other fellows be
Just dance the Polka merrily
Sugarbush come dance with me

Oh, we never not gonna go home!
We won't go, we won't go!
Oh, we never not gonna go phone,
'Cause mother isn't home!

Oh, chocolate, you are so sweet
Yes, yes you, I'd like to eat
If I do, oh, what a treat!
Chocolate, you are so sweet

Oh, Sugarbush, I love you so,
And I will never let you go
Now don't let my mother know
Sugarbush, I love you so

Words and Music by: Josef Marais
Transcribed from a duet by Doris Day and Frankie Laine
recorded 7 Feb 1952

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sugarbush
From: Sorcha
Date: 12 Sep 04 - 12:46 AM

Thanks, Joe. And a WARNING to anyone who goes seaching for these on the Net....I picked up 4 Trojans and 150+ spy cookies looking for them. I know, because I had run my AV and AdAware just before looking for them. Fix Subject add box, please?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sugarbush
From: Joe Offer
Date: 11 Sep 04 - 11:39 PM

Hmmm. That's the Doris Day song - I'm almost sure. It was also recorded by Frankie Laine. I didn't know it was written by Josef Marais (of Marais & Miranda). I wonder if it has folk roots - Marais often published translations of traditional songs from various countries. I can't find verification of songwriter and lyrics right off. Maybe somebody else can give us more.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: ADDPOP: Sugarbush (Josef Marais)
From: Sorcha
Date: 11 Sep 04 - 11:24 PM

I'm assuming you mean the Doris Day ones...didn't find those either but found this......if they are the same as Doris Day's will a clone please fix the Subject box?

SugarBush

Sugarbush come dance with me
Let the other fellows be
Dance the Polka merrily
Sugarbush come dance with me
Oh, we never not gonna go home!
We won't go, we won't go!
Oh, we never not gonna go phone,
'Cause mother isn't home!
Oh, Sugarbush, I love you so,
I will never let you go
Don't let your mother know
Sugarbush, I love you so
Chocolate, you are so sweet
You, yes you, I'd like to eat
If I do, oh, what a treat!
Chocolate, you are so sweet
Oh, we never not gonna go home!
We won't go, we won't go!
Oh, we never not gonna go phone,
'Cause mother isn't home!
Oh, Sugarbush, what shall I do
Mother's not so pleased with you
Promise me you will be true
And I'll come along with you

Words and Music by: Josef Marais
From:http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Theater/4641/Lyrics/sugar.htm

Subject: Lyr Req: Sugarbush
From: Bert
Date: 11 Sep 04 - 11:07 PM

In view of the attempt to 'sugar coat' Bush's military record I thought it would be a good idea if we all sang this Fifties hit. But I can't find the lyrics anywhere.