Lyr Req: What song is this?

Subject: Lyr Req: What song is this?
From: Fiddlegrrl
Date: 27 Nov 08 - 10:20 PM

Hello, everyone,

My father in law is trying to remember the lyrics to a song. Here are the first couple of lines:

"I was just a serving maid down in New Orleans
'Twas there I met a sailor boy just back from the Philippines"

He can't remember any more.

Indeed, it does sound like the opener of a zillion possible songs; nonetheless, I Googled around (including the DT) and didn't come up with anything.

Any hints would be appreciated.

Thank you!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: What song is this?
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 27 Nov 08 - 10:47 PM

sOunds like a WWII rewrite of Bell Bottom Trousers.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: What song is this?
From: Fiddlegrrl
Date: 28 Nov 08 - 12:50 PM

That was my initial thought too... the only thing that remotely came up in a search. But! It would be cool it narrow it down a little...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: What song is this?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 28 Nov 08 - 01:03 PM

Click HERE for the "Bell Bottom Trousers" thread. Given the mention of several modern naval versions, it's a fairly safe bet that's what we're talking about here. Any American collections from WWII?

Regards p.s. Spanish American War?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: What song is this?
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 28 Nov 08 - 01:04 PM

Dick,
It must predate any commercial versions of BBT as it has the wording of the earlier 'Rosemary Lane' versions.
When I was a servant maid down in Drury/Rosemary Lane
My master was so good to me the mistress was the same
Till last Sunday evening a sailor home from sea,
And that was the beginning of all my misery.