polkas

Subject: Lyr Add: TOO FAT POLKA (Arthur Godfrey)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 22 Aug 16 - 06:18 PM

My transcription from a recording on YouTube:


TOO FAT POLKA
Written by Ross Maclean & Arthur Richardson
As recorded by Arthur Godfrey, 1947.

[Arthur Godfrey:] Here's a silly ditty; you can sing it right away.
Now here is what you say,
So sing it while you may.
Here's a silly jingle; you can sing it night or noon.
Here's the words; that's all you need, 'cause I just sang the tune. Oh—

CHORUS: I don't want her; you can have her; she's too fat for me.
She's too fat for me.
She's too fat for me.
I don't want her; you can have her; she's too fat for me.
She's too fat; she's too fat; she's too fat for me.

I get dizzy; I get numbo,
When I'm dancing with my jum-jum-jumbo.

CHORUS [as above]

[Group:] Can she prance up a hill?
[AG:] No, no, no, no, no!
[Group:] Can she dance a quadrille?
[AG:] No, no, no, no, no!
[Group:] Does she fit in your coupe?
[AG:] By herself she's a group!
[Group:] Could she possibly
Sit upon your knee?
[AG:] No, no, no!

CHORUS: [Group:] We don't want her; you can have her; she's too fat for me.
[AG:] She's too fat for me.
[Funny Voice:] But she's just right for me!
[Group:] We don't want her; you can have her; she's too fat for me.
[AG:] Yeah, she's too fat, much too fat. [FV:] But she's just right for me!

She's so charming, and she's so winning,
[AG:] But it's alarming when she goes in swimming.

CHORUS: [Group:] We don't want her; you can have her; she's too fat for me.
[AG:] She's too fat for me.
[Funny Voice:] But she's just right for me!
So I sure want her; you can't have her; she's just right for me.
[Group:] But she's too fat. [Funny Voice:] She's not too fat! She's just right for me!

[AG:] She's a twosome; she's a foursome.
If she'd lose some, I would like her moresome.

CHORUS: I don't want her; you can have her; she's too fat for me.
She's too fat for me
She's too fat for me.
I don't want her; you can have her; she's too fat for me.
She's too fat, much too fat; she's too fat for me. Hey!

Subject: lyrics. song origins: "Just Because"
From: Genie
Date: 29 Aug 09 - 03:38 AM

The Nelstones' version is closest to the lyrics I sing, and I had thought that the song dated back to the '20s too.   Anyone know who wrote the song for that the Nelstones recorded, and when? (Was it one of the Nelstones? More than one? Someone else?)


I do this song as a "partner song" with "Bill Bailey" -- just because the two songs have (or can have) exactly the same chord pattern. You can superimpose one song over the other.
It was Portland's Jinx Davis who showed me that, back about 1979.

Just because you think you're so pretty,
Just because you think you're so hot,
Just because you think you've got something
That nobody else has got,
Though you made me spend all my money,
You laughed and called me "Old Santa Claus."
Well, I'm telling you, honey, I'm through with you
Because -- Just Because.

But the way I've heard this song and the way I do it with Bill Bailey doesn't sound at all like a polka to me.   (I guess you could polka to just about any fairly fast 4/4 time song if you set your mind to it though.)

Subject: RE: polkas
From: Joe Richman
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 08:38 PM

The reason I contacted Joe O. is that I was thinking about performing this one in public, and I wanted to be sure of it's origins. W & L swing is PD, and I won't worry about Bob Shelton/Joe Shelton/Sid Robin copyright since I'll use the Nelstone's lyrics only. I also wanted to make sure that it was a pre-1930 number because of where I'd be performing it. Wasn't trying to one up the Great Joe O.!

Joe R.

Subject: ADDPOP: Just Because (Shelton, Shelton, & Robin)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 02:14 PM

I got the following inquiry about this song, so I thought I ought to do some honest research on it. Here's the inquiry:

A few years ago you posted lyrics & chords in a Polka thread to a song called "Just Because". You gave a 1930s copyright date. I was doing a lyrics search for a song recorded in the 1920s by a country group called Nelstone's Hawaiians called "Just Because" The 78 is available to listen to on the Juneberry website. The chords you gave sound just like the Nelstone's tune and the first verse lyrics are very similar (Nelstone's only sang one verse). I have heard Del McCoury sing the song with extra verses, and someone told me that Elvis recorded it too. Do you know what the whole story is?

Thanks,
Joe

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JUST BECAUSE
(written by Bob Shelton/Joe Shelton/Sid Robin)
© Peer International Corporation, 1937, 1970

Just because you think you're so pretty
Just because you think you're so hot
Just because you think you've got something
That nobody else has got
Though you made me spend all my money,
You laughed and you called me old Santa Claus
But I'm tellin' you, honey,
I'm through with you
Because, just because

Just because you think I'll be lonesome
Just because you think I'll be blue
Just because you think I'll be foolish
To stay at home and wait for you;
Though you made me drop all my girlfriends,
You laughed and you called me old Santa Claus
But I'm telling you, honey,
I'm through with you
Because, just because

There will come a time you'll be lonesome,
There will come a day you'll be blue,
When old Santa Claus won't be near you,
To pay all the bills for you;
Though you may say that I am foolish,
And think you had the drop on Santa Claus
But I'm tellin' you, baby,
I'm through with you,
Because, just because.

Just because I know that you'll want me,
Just because you'll miss all the fun,
Just because I know you'll be sorry
For all of the things you've done;
Though you'll come to me and be beggin',
Don't think that I'll still be old Santa Claus,
Now, I'm knockin' wood,
This time I'm through for good,
Because, just because.


Source: The Best Fake Book Ever, Hal Leonard, 1990

I apologize for my previous sloppiness.

---

Coming from Milwaukee, I grew up with the Frankie Yankovic version, which had the first verse, an instrumental verse, a repeat of the first verse, and another instrumental. It was a standard at weddings, although questionably appropriate. Here is my transcription of the lyrics from the Yankovic recording (from Frankie Yankovic's Greatest Hits, of course):

Just because you think you're so pretty
Just because you think you're so hot
Just because you think you've got something
That nobody else has got
You caused me to spend all my money,
You laugh and call me old Santa Claus
I'm tellin' you, baby,
I'm through with you
Just because, just because.

---

I bought an MP3 of the Nelstone's Hawaiians recording of "Just Because" (which has one verse, repeated twice). It's definitely the same song, although the lyrics are slightly different. Recording date was November 30, 1929 (click). Here's my transcription:

Just because you think that you're pretty
Just because you think that you're hot
Just because you think you've got something
That you think that I haven't got;
You made me spend all my money,
You thought I was old Santa Claus
I'm tellin' you true,
I'm done with you
Just because.

Here's the information on Nelstone's Hawaiians from the All-Music Guide:

Nelstone's Hawaiians, a folk group formed in southern Alabama by steel guitarist Hubert Nelson and guitarist James D. Touchstone, recorded for Victor during the late '20s. The Hawaiian style of steel-guitar playing, popular during the '20s after Hawaii entered the Republic, featured on many of their recordings. Little else is known about Nelstone's Hawaiians, though the song "Fatal Flower Garden" was included on Harry Smith's 1952 folksong collection Anthology of American Folk Music.

Oh, yes, it was recorded by everybody and his brother, including Elvis. Look here (click)

Just Because recorded by Elvis on Tuesday, 14 September 1954
Written by: Robin
Originally recorded by Nelstone's Hawaiians in 1929
Hear Elvis's version on: Elvis Presley (Rock 'n' Roll No.1); The Complete 50's Masters 1
Cliff Carlisle's "You'll Miss Me" is subtitled "(Just Because)"and is perhaps the semi-original version of "Just Because." The tune of a march called "Washington and Lee Swing" from 1910 is also a clear influence. The first "real" version, however, seems to be that of Nelstone's Hawaiians. The group consisted of Hubert Nelson (vocal and steel guitar) and James D. Touchstone (vocal and guitar), both from southern Alabama. The Shelton Brothers' version of "Just Because" was a big hit on the Decca label in 1935 and was listed with writers Shelton, Shelton and Robin—don't know why, as it is clearly the same number as that of Nelstone's Hawaiians!
Interesting link

Thanks for keeping me honest, Joe - I didn't really like that version I copy-pasted above.
-Joe Offer-

---

Sept 13, 2008 - I heard a polka version today at our local Polish-American festival. It sounded just like the way I used to hear it on the Polish south side of Milwaukee.

Subject: RE: polkas
From: GUEST,The surfing guest
Date: 13 Nov 04 - 11:58 PM

Instead of explaining what the difference is, why not just listen to the difference yourself?-- At http://www.247polkaheaven.com/

Enjoy!

~Rick

Subject: RE: polkas
From: greg stephens
Date: 18 Sep 02 - 09:57 PM

Couldnt agree more Bob, about not all 3/4 tunes suiting waltzing, or 2/4 tunes suiting polka-ing.And there's more than one kind of 3/4 waltz, as musicians soon find out from irate dancers or callers. Musicians would all benefit from dancing occasionally, but some of them don't dare.
Re my previous posting on early hornpipe tune notation. A lot of them were published or written in MS in 6/4, but they aren't IN 6/4. The 6/4 is an error. They had three main beats in a bar, which is why 3/2 is appropriate. 3/2 and 6/4 both have 6 crotchets in the bar(but subdivived differently). That's how the confusion arises.

Subject: RE: polkas
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 18 Sep 02 - 09:37 PM

G'day again ...

Greg (who has noticed that "Bob Bolton has too much learning"): I was just reminding people that al lot of the terms we use an nowhere as precise as we think ... Anyway, on the 'bus into work this morning I got around to reading the first issue of the new Australian folk magazine Trad & Now.

I notice that the dance page started up with Peter Ellis giving an overview of the Circular Waltz - remarking () that it "... was simply the old rotary Waltz or the Valse a Trois Temps until the advent of the Modern Waltz or Jazz Walt of the '20s ..." and later remarking of the steps: "The feet had to pass not close together like the chassé of the Valse a Deux Temps".

Anyway, the fact that most people think of the common forms when they hear the terms "waltz" or "polka" is no problem to me ... The real problem comes when they start to think that everything in 3/4 is a waltz ... or even that everything in 2/4 is a polka. This can lead to some disastrous misreadings - especially of the underlying rhythms needed by the dancers (who do know the difference!).

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: polkas
From: greg stephens
Date: 17 Sep 02 - 04:08 PM

Well just to be even pickier, hornpipes were originally in 3/2 , or 9/4(9/8). 6/4 is soemthing else again, used for early jig-notation.

Subject: RE: polkas
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Sep 02 - 12:27 PM

Just to be picky, Hornpipes were originally in 6/4.....

Subject: RE: polkas
From: Sorcha
Date: 17 Sep 02 - 11:20 AM

Yes, of course, Bob. If I had actually thought about it.......thanks.

Subject: RE: polkas
From: Joe Offer
Date: 17 Sep 02 - 10:38 AM

With my two left feet, polkas and waltzes feel almost exactly the same...
-Joe Offer, the Milwaukeean who couldn't polka-
(like the Finn who didn't take saunas)

Maybe that's why I'm in exile in California.

Subject: RE: polkas
From: Ranks
Date: 17 Sep 02 - 06:50 AM

Hi here is a great Polka Page

http://www.polkaweb.com/

It has links to many Online radio stations and to Midi Pages.

Greetings Ranks

Subject: RE: polkas
From: greg stephens
Date: 17 Sep 02 - 04:34 AM

Bob Bolton has too much learning.There are always peculiar lurking exceptions to the tune/dance interface in folk cultures. You can say jigs in England are in 6/8 and reels and polkas hornpipes or in 2/4 (or4/4). Then you find in some fiddlers repertoire a "Liverpool Hornpipe" in 6/8 or a "CUmberland reel" in 6/8. But dont worry. "The exception proves the rule" is a grand saying. Don't get in a tizz about Bob B's esoteric knowledge. Believe me, the knowledge that waltzes are in 3-time and polkas in 2 will keep most musicians on Mudcat happy for life.

Subject: RE: polkas
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 17 Sep 02 - 02:50 AM

And just to prove that typos really do happen, I messed up my italics in the first line.

Doug C

Subject: RE: polkas
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 17 Sep 02 - 02:45 AM

I> Any good polka waltz lyrics I can find somewhere?

What is a "polka waltz"? Can't be both..........

Bohus' Czech Waltz/Polka MIDI Site


Sorcha,
Yes, polkas and waltzes are different but GUEST,leeneia's posting shows us that the two are often found together. Perhaps the original request contained a typo and actually wanted "polka / waltz" lyrics. That's how I interpreted it.


Doug C

Subject: RE: polkas
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 17 Sep 02 - 02:23 AM

G'day Sorcha,

Of course, it is only 3/4 waltzes that are in 3/4 ... There are also (even if totally hidden by the modern and erroneous belief that waltz time must be 3/4 ... and a 3/4 tune must be a waltz) waltzes in duple time ... and there are polka mazurkas in 3/4 time ... and, probably, polka waltzes as well!

A waltz is, from the German, a dance in which you rotate. A polka is, from the Bohemian (~ Czech) a dance in which there is a 'skip' in the step. Neither comes with a time signature in folk cultures.

Regards,

Bob Bolton (who could play 3/4 all night ... and not one waltz)

Subject: RE: polkas
From: Sorcha
Date: 16 Sep 02 - 11:43 PM

Thank you, Joe. I didn't think a polka felt like a waltz. As far as what a polka is, I know that there are two different types--a 10 step and (I think!) an 8 step....but beyond that I don't know.

Subject: RE: polkas
From: masato sakurai
Date: 16 Sep 02 - 11:37 PM

The original title to "Beer Barrel Polka" is "Skoda Lasky" (Škoda Lásky). Here's a sound clip, and the Czech lyrics (one verse only) are HERE).

"Škoda Lásky"
Škoda lásky, kterou jsem tobì dala
Škoda slzí, které jsem vyplakala
Moje mládí uteklo tak jako hlen...
Ná ná ná...

A free translation of the original Czech lyric of "Skoda Lasky" (A literal translation is 'Pity Love' but 'Hurt Love' might be a nearer meaning) is:

Pity the love which I gave to you
Today these eyes of mine would cry
My youth fled like a dream
All that remains to me is only a memory in my heart.

(From Mechanical Music Digest)

Subject: RE: polkas
From: Joe Offer
Date: 16 Sep 02 - 11:35 PM

...oh, and I understand "Weird Al" (1959 - ) is not related to Frankie (1915-1998).
Both apparently use their birth name.
Hey, I found a polka lesson online here (click). -Joe Offer-

Subject: ADDPOP: Just Because (polka)(flawed transcript)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 16 Sep 02 - 11:30 PM

Sorcha, most of the polkas I found were in cut time, and I didn't find any in 3/4 waltz time. Still, there's something about a polka that feels like a waltz. Can somebody define just what a polka is?
This thread was a general request for polkas. I think I'll add one of my favorites. I found it on a "Paul McCartney & Wings" site, so I imagine McCartney did it.
-Joe Offer-

JUST BECAUSE
(written by Bob Shelton/Joe Shelton/Sid Robin)
(c) Southern Music Publishing, 1937, 1970


Chords used:
       EADGBE
C:    x32010
G7:    320001
C7:    x32310
F:    133211
Cdim: x01212
A:    x02220
D:    xx0232
G:    320003

  C
  Well well well just because you think you're so pretty
                                           G7
  And just because your mama thinks you're hot
  Just because you think you've got something
                        C
  That nobody else has got
  Well you know you make me spend all my money, honey
                                C7          F
  You laughed and you called me old Santa Claus
       F            Cdim
  Oooh I'm tellin' you baby
   C                A
  I'm through with you
     D                  G      C
  Because, well well, just because

Well just because you think I'd be lonesome
And just because you think that I'll be blue
Jast because you think I'd be foolish
To stay at home, waitin' round for you
Well though you made me drop all my girlfriends
You laughed and you called me old Santa Claus
Oooh I'm tellin' you baby
I'm through with you
Because, well well, just because

Well there will come a time when you'll be lonesome
And there will be a time when you feel blue
There'll come a time when old Santa
Yeah, he won't pay no bills for you
Ooh if baby, you say that I'm foolish, honey
You laughed and you called me old Santa Claus
Oooh I'm tellin' you baby
I'm through with you
Because, well well, just because

SOLO

Well well well just because you think you're so pretty
And just because your mama thinks
You're the hottest thing in town
Just because you think you've got something
Oooh, that nobody else has got
Well though you make me spend all my money, honey
You laughed and you called me old Santa Claus
Oooh I'm tellin' you baby
I'm through with you
Because, well well, just because
Yeah because, well well, just because
Hmm mm because, well well, just because

Subject: RE: polkas
From: Sorcha
Date: 16 Sep 02 - 11:01 PM

So......it's dumb question time for Sorcha.....IS a polka a waltz? Feels to me like polka is 2/4 and waltz is 3/4.

Subject: RE: polkas
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 16 Sep 02 - 10:59 PM

You just have to go to one of the most joyful sites on the web, Bohus' Czech Waltz/Polka MIDI Site.

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Estates/3097/

Subject: RE: polkas
From: Joe Offer
Date: 16 Sep 02 - 10:32 PM

Hey, anybody know of other Polka websites?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: Beer Barrel Polka
From: Joe Offer
Date: 16 Sep 02 - 10:24 PM

Hi - if you put polka in one of the search boxes, you're likely to find a number of polkas lyrics, including Beer Barrel Polka (Roll Out the Barrels), in the Digital Tradition Folk Song Database.

"Beer Barrel Polka" was a popular Czech song, music by Jaromir Vejvoda. English lyrics by Lew Brown were published in 1934.
Source: American Popular Songs, by David Ewen.

You'll find lots of good polka information at http://www.polkaweb.com

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: polkas
From: Sorcha
Date: 16 Sep 02 - 10:05 PM

Beer Barrel and Roll Out the Barrel are the same. What is a "polka waltz"? Can't be both..........

Subject: polkas
From: GUEST,sbbstories
Date: 16 Sep 02 - 09:06 PM

does anyone have all of the words to the Beer Barrel Polka? How about Roll Out the Barrel?

Any good polka waltz lyrics I can find somewhere? thanks

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