Lyr Req: Lydia, the Tattooed Lady

Subject: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From:
Date: 08 Oct 98 - 09:23 PM

There is a version of this in the database but it doesn't seem to be complete. I distinctly remember Lydia having ships tattooed on her thighs, and marrying an admiral who ends up being "in command of the fleet, for he's gone and married Lydia!" Also, somebody, a ballet dancer IIRC, dancing the rhumba (which rhymes with "social security numbah") and chorus that goes La la la, la la la.

Haven't viewed the scene where Groucho sings this in some years, so I don't know if these verses were in the original movie or something someone else wrote.

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Oct 98 - 09:32 PM

Click here for the previous thread on this song, which didn't produce any new lyrics. Didn't find sheet music for Tiger, either. Maybe we ain't as good as we'd like to think we are.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: Lyr Add: LYDIA, THE TATTOOED LADY
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 08 Oct 98 - 10:21 PM

From Dr Demento:

From: Unclejack

APOLOGY/ACKNOWLEDGEMENT What follows is a transcript of the lyrics of E.Y. Harburg and Harold Arlen's classic comic song, "Lydia the Tattooed Lady," as sung by his royal majesty Julian (Groucho) Marx at Carnegie Hall in 1971. It is being presented because loyal, earnest fans who either cannot locate the sheet music nor a copy of "At the Circus" (which film is distinguished primarily by the introduction of this song) desparately wish to learn the lyrics. If anyone is upset with me for printing the lyrics without compensating the publishers, please reply by EMail and I will do what (little) I can to make up for the slight. Remember, the Internet is an educational device; now, you've learned your lesson!

Now join Marvin Hamlisch in the background vocals!

(la la la la la la)

Lydia, oh Lydia, say, have you met Lydia?
Lydia the tattooed lady
She has eyes that men adore so
And a torso even more so
Lydia, oh Lydia, that encyclopedia
Lydia, the queen of tattoo
On her back is the Battle of Waterloo
Beside it the Wreck of the Hesperus, too
And proudly above waves the red, white and blue
You can learn a lot from Lydia

(la la la la la la)

When her robe is unfurled, she will show you the world
If you step up and tell her where
For a dime you can see Kankakee or Paree
Or Washington crossing the Delaware

(la la la la la la)
(la la la la la la)

Lydia, oh Lydia, say, have you met Lydia?
Lydia the tattooed lady
When her muscles start relaxin'
Up the hill comes Andrew Jackson
Lydia, oh Lydia, that encyclopedia
Lydia, the queen of tattoo
For two bits she will do a mazurka in jazz
With a view of Niagara that nobody has
And on a clear day, you can see Alcatraz
You can learn a lot from Lydia

(la la la la la la)
(la la la la la la)

Come along and see Buffalo Bill with his lasso
Just a little classic by Mendel Picasso
Here's Captain Spaulding exploring the Amazon
Here's Godiva but with her pajamas on

(la la la la la la)
(la la la la la la)

Lydia, oh Lydia, that encyclopedia
Lydia, the queen of them all
She once swept an admiral clean off his feet
The ships on her hips made her heart skip a beat
And now the old boy's in command of the fleet
For he went and married Lydia

I said Lydia
He said Lydia
I said Lydia
He said Lydia
Ole!

Rest in peace, Grouch! Your ever-devoted, ever-lovin' Unclejack!

Regards
John

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: Allan C.
Date: 09 Oct 98 - 08:25 AM

What about that other Tattooed Lady? The only words I can recall are:

And over her left Kidney was a bird's eye view of Sidney
But what we liked best was upon her chest: a little home in Waikiki

Anybody know the rest?

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: Bert
Date: 09 Oct 98 - 01:02 PM

Talking of tattoos, my Dad sings one about a tattood man.

All over me, all over me,
ships of war, easter eggs, Indian Ink all down me legs
I'm just like a picture gallery
you ought to see the sights of London
all over me.

I don't know any more to it, it sounds like a music hall song to me.

Bert.

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: Jaxon
Date: 09 Oct 98 - 02:23 PM

Allan, I can remember the Kingston Trio doing this. I can't remember all of the lyrics but the opening verse started this way.
We went to town to see, the great tattooed lady
She was a sight to see, tattooed from head to knee
My uncle Ned was there, he took us round the fair...

The chorus went something like this (it's been too long)
And on her jaw, was a royal flying claw
And on her back was a Union Jack, now could you ask for more
All up and down her spine ran different colored lines
And all around her hips sailed a fleet of battleships.
And over her left Kidney, etc.
Good luck with the rest.
Jack Murray

Subject: Lyr Add: THE TATTOOED LADY (from Kingston Trio)
From: Ralph Butts
Date: 09 Oct 98 - 08:45 PM

OK - Here it is. Talk about misunderstood lyrics!....Tiger

THE TATTOOED LADY - Kingston Trio

We came to town to see
That old tattooed lady,
She was a sight to see,
Tattooed from head to knee.

My Uncle Ned was there,
He came to gape and stare.
"I've never," he declared,
"Seen such a freak so fair!"

And on her jaw
Was the Royal Flying Corps,
And on her back was a Union Jack,
Now could you ask for more?

All up and down her spine
Marched the Queen's own guards in line,
And all around her hips,
Sailed a fleet of battleships.

And over her left kidney,
Was a bird's-eye view of Sydney,
But what we liked best
Was upon her chest,
My little home in Waikiki.

(What did you say?)

REPEAT

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 Oct 98 - 08:51 PM

Hey, Tiger, what's the tune? It's real familiar, but I'm not quite sure. It's almost like ta-ra-ra-doom-di-ay at the beginning, but then it changes. Darn it! I just can't remember the name of that tune.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: Barbara
Date: 10 Oct 98 - 02:06 PM

The second part, as I recall, Joe, sounds a lot like Sipping Cider thru a Straw. Actually the two tunes are quite similar, now that I sing them thru. The second part is just missing the tonic note, stays on the 3 instead. (Do you know what I'm talking about?)
I heard Michael Cooney do this years ago.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: Rich "Guitarzan" Mondak
Date: 10 Oct 98 - 09:25 PM

I don't recall Groucho singing it in a particular film...(must have been the part I fell asleep), however, he did perform it on the premier of the first Bill Cosby Show in the mid to late 60's. I remember this as it was the first television performance of "Noah!"... I was sitting with my younger siblings and remember beingblown away by the tune and trying to remember the lyrics and write them in school the next day...

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: Joe Offer
Date: 11 Oct 98 - 02:44 AM

OK, Barbara - that's why it sounds so familiar. I've listened to the Kingston Trio recording several times, and I just couldn't figure out what the tune was. I'm not completely clear on your "tonic," but I get the idea. Thanks.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: Allan C.
Date: 12 Oct 98 - 08:14 AM

Thanks Ralph, et. al. The tune I recall sounds quite a bit like "Ta Ra Ra Boom De A". As for the tonic, I prefer it with a twist of lime.

Subject: Tune Add: LYDIA, THE TATTOOED LADY
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 03 Nov 98 - 07:07 PM

Here's the tune for Lydia:

---

Click to play

To play or display ABC tunes, try concertina.net

ABC format:

X:1
T:
M:4/4
Q:1/4=201
K:C
G5GG2|G2GFE2F2|G2G2G2GF|E2F2GGG2|G2G/4e7/4c2E2|
G2F6|-F4A4|B2c4G2|A4B2c2|-c2G2A4|G2A4G2|A4G2A2|
-A2G2GGG2|G2GFE2F2|G2G2G2GF|E2F2GGG2|G2G2A2c2|
d8|c2c2d2d2|c2d2d2c2|d4c2d2|-d2G2A2A2|G2A2A2G2|
A2A2G2A2|-A2G2c3B|c2G2E2C2|F2G2A2c2|c2d2e4|
c2d4c2|edc6|-c8|G8|-G2^G2^A2G2|^G2^A2G2^G2|
^A2G2^G2^A2|G2^G2^A4|-^A2c4^A2|^GGF6|F2G2^G2F2|
G2^G2F2G2|^G2F2G2^G2|-^G2F2^G2^G2|^G2^A2^A3^G|
GF^D6|-^D8|^D4G4|-G8|G8|-GGG2G2GF|E2F2G2G2|
G2GFE2F2|GGG2G2G/4e7/4|c2E2G2F2|-F8|A8|-A4B2c2|
-c2G2A4|B2c4G2|A4G2A2|-A2G2A4|G2A4G2|GGG2G2GF|
E2F2G2G2|G2GFE2F2|GGG2G2G2|A2c2d4|-d4c2c2|
d2d2c2d2|d2c2d2d2|c2d4GG|A2A2G2A2|A2G2A2A2|
G2A4G2|c3Bc2G2|E2C2F2G2|A2c2c2d2|e4c2d2|-d2c2edc2|
-c8|c8|G8|-G8|G^G7|-^G2^Ac^A2G2|-G^D^A2G3^D|
^A2G6|G^G^Ac^A2G2|-G^D^A2G3^D|^A2^G6|FG^GA^A2f2|
f2f2f2f2|f^A^A6|G2^G2^A2^A2|^A2^A2^A2^G2|
GF^D6|-^D8|G8|-G^G^Ac^A2G2|-G^D^A2G3^D|^A2G6|
G^G^Ac^A2G2|-G^D^A2G3^D|^A2^G6|G2^G2^A2f2|
f2f2f3f|f2^A6|G2^G2^A2^A2|^A2^A2^A2^G2|G2^D6|
-^D8|^D4G4|-G5GG2|G2GFE2F2|G2G2G2GF|E2F2GGG2|
G2G2A2c2|d8|-d2c2d2d2|c2d2d2c2|d2d2c2d2|-d2G2A2A2|
G2A2A2G2|A2A2G2A2|-A2G2c3B|c2G2E2C2|F2G2A2c2|
c2d2e4|c2d4c2|edc4c2|-c8|c15/2||

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: elwood
Date: 04 Nov 98 - 01:02 AM

If you want to get really obscure, The Muppets actually covered "Lydia" on one of their albums. Kermit was the performer. Pretty darn fascinating huh/

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From:
Date: 04 Nov 98 - 09:41 AM

John in Brisbane: Just a quick correction - Groucho's given name was Julius, not Julian. A small distinction, but one worth noting.

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Aug 00 - 02:26 PM

We came to town to see,
That old tattooed lady.
Oh what a sight to see,
Tattooed from head to knee.
My Uncle Ned was there,
He came to guide us there,
I never he declared,
Seen such a freak so bad.
Upon her jaw was a (I don't know this part),
Upon her back was a union jack,
How could you ask for more.
Oh up and down her spine,
Was a (I don't know this part)
And all around her hips
Was a (fleet of battle ships?)
And over her left kidney
Was a bird's-eye view of Sidney
And upon her chest is what we like best
A little home in Wakiki.

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 25-Jun-02.

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: Mrrzy
Date: 01 Aug 00 - 06:45 PM

Anybody know the other Lydia song, about the Ve-ge-table compound?

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 01 Aug 00 - 07:26 PM

John---the Groucho concert was in 1980. Carnegie Hall. His last appearance in NYC--then his last in San Francisco.

THe new bio by Kanfer is an amazing piece of writing. If you are a Groucho afficianado--a must.

I saw the concert---farewell to an idol.

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: GUEST, Banjo Johnny
Date: 01 Aug 00 - 07:28 PM

This song was sung by a little girl in "Philadelphia Story" with Kathryn Hepburn.

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: bflat
Date: 01 Aug 00 - 07:55 PM

Here's to Groucho! He was a funny guy! As for tattoes, I wonder if Lydia of Donal and Lydia from John Prine had her own tattoe. It would have been a broken heart I expect.

bflat

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: bobby's girl
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 01:33 PM

Not only did Kermit sing the song on the Muppet Show, but one of the pigs (I don't think it was Miss Piggy sadly) acted the part of Lydia - very entertaining if a little surreal!

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: Tiger
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 06:02 PM

Lydia, the Tattooed Lady, from Groucho Marx in "At the Circus" - OLD!!!
(Lydia, Oh, Lydia, Oh, Have you met Lydia....)

The Tattooed Lady, from the Kinston Trio, late '50s
(We came to town to see, that old tattooed lady...)

Lydia Pinkham, Oscar Brand & others
(She invented a vegetable compound, and the papers published her face)

I've got 'em all - what's your pleasure?

.....Tiger

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: Genie
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 02:28 AM

I understand that Harburg's original lyrics written for Groucho were too bawdy for the blue noses that ran the motion picture industry at the time, so that the lyrics we usually hear are quite diluted. Does anyone know the original ones? (I'll bet Michael Feinstein does, but he may not be a Catter.)

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: Sourdough
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 02:42 AM

My uncle was a long-time friend of Yip Harburg. I was trying to get some informatin on the Internet and found a Harburg site. It is run by harburg's son. I sent him an e-mail message and he was kind enough to reply.

Anyone interested in the work of Hrburg shuold try to fond this site. It was a year or two ago so I can't remember the earl but since I found it using Google, I am sure that others will be able to do the same.

Hope this helps you find the "original" lyrics to a wonderful song.

Sourdough

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: SharonA
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 08:38 AM

Sourdough: Cool! What's the name of the site you found?

I had an aunt whose middle name was "Lydia". She hated the name, and would never use it or divulge to anyone that that was what her middle initial "L" stood for, because of that song! Apparently, she must have been teased about it ad nauseum when the song was first introduced.

(Me, I've learned to live with all the people who sing "M-m-m-my Sharona!" at me, or start reciting the Abbott and Costello skit "Who's on First" [my last name is Abbott]. Just don't expect me to chime in!!!)

Sharon

Subject: Lyr/Chords Add:TATTOOED LADY-II (from Rudy Vallée)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 09:09 AM

There's another 1930's song about a tattooed lady that Rudy Vallée used to sing, which has been passed down to me by my family to liven up a party during the wee hours.

THE TATTOOED LADY-II
(Sung by Rudy Vallée in the 1940's as recalled by Dahlov Ipcar, 1977; Key: D (C/2))

C-------------------G
Oh, I have a very sad tale to relate,
------------------G7-----C
'Tis the harrowing tale of a man and his mate,
----------C7--------F
A story of passion, of love and of hate,
--C------------------C
Of virtue corrupted by vice;
C
Mother Eve in the Garden of Eden (of Eden)
----------------------------G
Met a serpent the same as this lass,
--------Am
And she too might have turned from temptation
---------------------------------G------G7
Except for that horrible snake in the grass – Oh!

Chorus:

C------------------------G
Shame on the man that pursued her,
----G7------------------C
That villain who viciously wooed her;
------------C7-----F
She fell in a faint, he pulled out his paint,
--------G-----------------------G7---C
And the next thing she knew he tattooed her!

Her downfall began as an innocent thing,
Her husband went off to go fishing one spring,
So she and her girlfriends went off on a fling,
They all went to bathe at the beach;
When this artist came up with his paint pot (paint pot),
And started to toy with her calf,
She allowed him to tinker, he painted a fiend
Who was sawing a woman in half – (CHO)

This girl wasn't bright and the fellow was smart,
And now that he'd made such a favorable start,
He let her believe she was helping his art,
They met every day at the beach;
Never once did she think that he loved her (loved her)
Nor think that he'd do her some harm,
Till the day he tattooed in red, white and blue,
"I Love You!" on her arm – (CHO)

Her husband returned and the moment they kissed,
His eyes read the writing from elbow to wrist,
He foamed at the month and in fury he hissed,
His rage drove him utterly nuts;
She was hurt by his attitude deeply (deeply)
And hysterically started to laugh (ha, ha, haaaah)
Then she rolled up down her stocking and showed him the fiend
Who was sawing a woman in half – (CHO)

He threw her out in the wind and the rain,
Saying, "Never dampen my bath mat again!"
Now she gets tattooed whenever she can,
She works in the circus for pay;
And her fair epidermis is painted (painted)
With pictures of sailors and such,
And if you have a needle, you too can tattoo
On the skin that they all love to touch– (CHO)

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: Amos
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 09:43 AM

I'd always heard:

"..And up and down her spine Ran the Mason Dixon line!"

but I can't recall if it was the same song or not.

A

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: English Jon
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 10:07 AM

Here's Najinsky (sp?) a doing the rumbha/Here's her social security number.

Najinsky was a prominent ballet star of the 20's. Worked with Diaghilev etc. Also Bolshoi? if memory serves.

Also, The previous two lines of the stanza end with "Treasure Island". - never have been able to make it out off the video.

EJ

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: GUEST,scabby doug on the cookie-hungry pc
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 10:18 AM

Here is Grover Whelan unveiling the Trilon Over on the West Coast we have Trasure I-lon ... then Nijinsky etc...

I'll post the full text later...

I never understood the "Mendel" (sic) Picasso line...

Cheers

SD

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: GUEST,Scabby Cookieless Doug
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 10:45 AM

this should be the links... lyrics

WAV file

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: Robby
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 10:56 AM

Her eyes were Siam
Her nose was Hindustan
And on her knees was Greece
Her back was Brazil
Her chest was Bunker Hill
Her hips were Constantino-ople.

Just then I saw my wife
And to avoid all future strife
I let the rest of the world go by

Performed by the Smothers Brothers

Enjoy
Robby

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: GUEST,JohnB
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 12:25 PM

While we are OFF the subject, here is one verse from the Rawtenstall Annual Fair, of Early 1900's Music Hall fame. Roll up Roll Up see the Tatooed Lady, Come and see the lady with the pictures on her skin In we went the lads, we all began to cheer For Tatooed on her back were all ther towns of Lancashire There was Ordsall Bottom, Manchester City with Albert standing in the square, there was Burnley, Bolton and Ashton under Lyne, the coalpit down at Barnsley was looking mighty fine, until someone shouted "DADDY" don't go down the mine. at the Rwtenstall Annual Fair. JohnB

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: BH
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 07:56 PM

Well, as long as we are off the subject---there was a wonderful group many moons ago in Bermuda --The Talbot Bros. One of their songs had to do with a girl who tattoos her boy friend on her derriere; now-as the lyrics go---"....when she sits down she sits on me".

Sadly such local entertainment (along with the steel drum bands) left the scene there years ago to be replaced by the homogenized pop entertainment presented everywhere.

Many years ago on the bus to the airport I heard a couple remark how wonderful the entertainment was---"...just like NY". Sad!! What happened to travel broadens one?

Off topic Bill Hahn

On Topic---What a wonder SAINT GROUCHO was. May Mr Firefly rest in piece.

Subject: Lydia Pinkham
From: Bennet Zurofsky
Date: 23 Aug 01 - 05:39 PM

Reading this thread for the first time, I notice that a few weeks ago someone requested the "other Lydia song" about the "Ve-ge-ta-ble Compound" and no one replied. The song sought is is the jingle for "Lydia Punkham's Vegetable Compound," which was a real product manufactured by, I believe, a real person named Lydia Pinkham. The song some recall may or may not have been commissioned originally by the company, it certainly seems to have become widely-known and sung with a variety of verses. This was a pre-FDA product, and most of the verses I've heard make humorous reference to its obvious alcoholic content, usually in relating a testimonial about the product's wondrous effects upon some previously woebegone individual. Unfortunately, I only remember the chorus, which I've set forth below. If I'm not mistaken, someone fairly recently published a book about Ms. Pinkham and her Vegetable Compound. Here are the words I remember:

Oh we'll drink-a drink-a drink to Lydia Pinkham, And her love for the human race (human race)! Oh she makes-she bottles-she sells her vegetable compound, And the papers publish her face (publish her face)!

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: Trevor
Date: 24 Aug 01 - 04:39 AM

Has The Scaffold's song about 'Lily The Pink' and her medicinal compund got anything to do with this?

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: IanC
Date: 24 Aug 01 - 04:46 AM

Bennet/Trevor. Loads of previous threads on this!

:-)
Ian

---

Click for Lily the Pink/Lydia Pinkham

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: Naemanson
Date: 24 Aug 01 - 11:29 AM

Well, to throw in another tattooed lady I have a friend who sings one of a sailor rescued from drowning by a woman in a rowboat. She takes him to shore and strips off her own clothing. The song relates all the geographical tattoos and ends when her husband shows up. At that point the narrator lets the rest of the world go by.

I haven't seen my friend in a few years so cannot ask him about the song. Anyone know the lyrics?

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Aug 01 - 12:28 PM

"I was looking for Hong Kong when her husband came along,
Brett, I'm fairly sure this version is covered, or uncovered, in the previous threads mentioned. Anyone got a blue clicky handy?

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: GUEST,ap in morristown
Date: 24 Aug 01 - 11:34 PM

When I was in the navy we sang a tattooed lady song that went something like this. I've been looking for the introduction to the song for many years. Anybody out there know it?

On her neck was Minnesota
On her shoulders was Tennessee
And tattooed on her back, was good old Hackensack
The place where I long to be
And on her (long whistle) was West Virginia
In those hills where I love to roam
And when the moon came up upon her Mississippi
That's when I recognized my home sweet home

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 25-Jun-02.

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 Aug 01 - 12:14 PM

With reference to "The Tattooed Lady" according to my venerable copy of REED 'EM AND WEEP:

There are variants which insist that "round about her jaw was a map of Canada" and mention also a porpoise, a "couple of spouting whales," and the Eddystone Light, besides naming a few public characters, flowers, etc.

Clearly this was a song that was greatly appreciated and was widely adapted as it made its way around the world.

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: GUEST,Genie
Date: 03 Sep 01 - 09:59 PM

Thanks to all who responded to this thread and added lyrics or links.

There is another "tattooed lady" song I heard last year, but all I can remembember is the "hook" line, "...every time she sits, she sits on me."

Anyone know the song or who wrote it?

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: GUEST,genie
Date: 04 Sep 01 - 12:24 AM

Re: "Najinski"

I usually see it spelled, "Nijinski," but since Russian uses the Cyrillic alphabet [with which I'm only vaguely familiar], I don't know if there is one and only one English spelling.

[The movie, "Nijinski" had it spelled like that.]

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: GUEST,genie
Date: 04 Sep 01 - 12:27 AM

Sourdough, Thanks for your info about the Harburg site. I will try to find it.

Genie

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 04 Sep 01 - 12:32 AM

Charlie Noble, Thanks for posting the Rudy Vallee song. By the way, it is "Vallee," not "Vally."

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: GUEST,Genie
Date: 04 Sep 01 - 12:38 AM

BH, You mentioned a Talbot Bros. song, which is one I posted an inquiry about -- the one that has the hook, "Every time she sits, she sits on me."

I hope someone can post the lyrics or direct me to a CD that has it, or both.

Genie

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: GUEST,genie
Date: 04 Sep 01 - 12:43 AM

One verse of the Groucho Marx (Harburg and Arlen) "Lydia" song that hasn't been mentioned here is:

"Lydia, oh, Lydia, oh have you met Lydia, Lydia the tattooed lady? When she stands the world gets littler, When she sits, she sits on Hitler."

This is followed by the final verse, about the admiral who is now "in command of the fleet ... ."

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: BH
Date: 04 Sep 01 - 07:01 PM

Genie: If you give me a mailing address I will be happy to send you a copy (once I dig it up---if I can) of the Talbot Bros doing that song. Or anything left on the damged album I have of these artists.

Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: CRANKY YANKEE
Date: 04 Sep 01 - 07:48 PM

GUEST ap of Morristown:
The introduction (which I also learned in the service) goes like this:

Once I married a tattooed lady, 'twas on a cold and wintry day.
And tattooed all around her body was a map of the U.S.A.
Each night before I'd go to sleep
I'd pull back the quilt and I'd take a peek.
(Spoken, with excitement:)
OH MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS ME!
Upon her legs, was Minnesota, etc. etc. etc.

Jody Gibson

Changed from all caps. --JoeClone, 25-Jun-02.

Subject: RE: LYDIA, THE TATTOED LADY
From: GUEST,Genie
Date: 04 Sep 01 - 09:34 PM

Bill, send me an email at [e-mail] and I will send you a mailing address. I don't know if and how I can post it to you in Mudcat without broadcasting it.

Thanks, Genie

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lydia, the Tattooed Lady
From: Charley Noble
Date: 23 Feb 05 - 08:58 AM

I just did some more web research on Rudy Vallée and it appears he sang at least two tattooed lady songs. The first was recorded in 1934 with His Connecticut Yankees; that's the version I learned from my family which features a tattoo artist who shamefully seduces a lonely wife on the beach. The other version is "Lydia the Tattooed Lady" which he recorded in 1941 and which Groucho Marx's later picked up.

I still don't know where Rudy got the first version. That same recording had a version of "The Tavern in the Town" in which Rudy breaks up in uncontrollable laughter, the first record I ever heard where I realized that real people were singing and having fun! Alas, our copy of this record got broken. Maybe I should see if I can find one for sale on e-Bay.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lydia, the Tattooed Lady
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 23 Feb 05 - 11:56 PM

Grouch sang it in "At The Circus".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lydia, the Tattooed Lady
From: Gurney
Date: 24 Feb 05 - 02:39 AM

Just to add a little confusion: Paddy Roberts also wrote a 'Tattooed Lady' song, which starts;

Oh, I was a bit of a lad, I admit,
My past is a trifle shady.
But then in the end, I went right round the bend,
and married a tattoed lady.

All goes well until he finds

A caricature of her mother!
For this was much more than a man could endure.
It was ta-ta, tattoo, forever.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lydia, the Tattooed Lady
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Feb 05 - 02:37 AM

Message from Charley Noble:

Subject: Lydia The Tattooed Lady
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25-Feb-05 - 02:25 PM

Could some kind Joe Clone correct this verse in a version of this song (The Tattooed Lady) sung by Rudy Vallee in 1934:

Her husband returned and the moment they kissed,
His eyes read the writing from elbow to wrist,
He foamed at the month and in fury he hissed,
His rage drove him utterly nuts;
She was hurt by his attitude deeply (deeply)
And hysterically started to laugh (ha, ha, haaaah)
Then she rolled up her stocking and showed him the fiend
Who was sawing a woman in half – (CHO)

The verse should read:

Her husband returned and the moment they kissed,
His eyes read the writing from elbow to wrist,
He foamed at the month and in fury he hissed,
His rage drove him utterly nuts;
She was hurt by his attitude deeply (deeply)
And hysterically started to laugh (ha, ha, haaaah)
Then she rolled DOWN her stocking and showed him the fiend
Who was sawing a woman in half – (CHO)

Makes much more sense.

Cheerily, Charley Noble

I don't know about these things, Charley. My wife doesn't wear stockings...
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lydia, the Tattooed Lady
From:
Date: 28 Feb 05 - 02:02 PM

not too sure how to use this site, but we can remember "on the back of each knee was a small chimpanzee,on her thigh was a Knight of the Garter, and just for a laugh they had put on her calf eight bars of the moonlight Sonata. ... Some things I found out I just can't talk about I find they are inclined to embarass .... I loved all the ships on one side of her hips, the view in Peru on the other, but I was struck dumb when I found on her tum a caricature of her Mother. It ended Ta ta tattoo for ever, Ta ta tattoo for ever - can you remember any more?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lydia, the Tattooed Lady
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Jun 05 - 03:54 PM

After reading all of the references to Lydia, I have to ask:

Does no one remember the great performance of "Lydia" by Virginia Weidler in "The Philadelphia Story," accompanying herself on the piano? She was then only thirteen years old, but incredibly talented.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lydia, the Tattooed Lady
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 01 Jun 05 - 05:53 PM

The short answer is no, I haven't seen it. But thanks for calling my attention to it. I'll make a point of watching "Philadelphia Story" next time it comes around on TV. Meanwhile, I looked up this biography of Virginia Weidler at imdb.com.

Here's another bio with pictures.

Child actors have always fascinated me.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lydia, the Tattooed Lady
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 02 Jun 05 - 10:22 AM

Guest: Scottlrc

If you return, the lyrics you quote are from the Paddy Roberts song, which was transcribed on the forum Here

CHEERS

Nigel (e-mail also sent to invite Scott back)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lydia, the Tattooed Lady
From: GUEST,smiley
Date: 06 Dec 06 - 07:31 AM

does anyone know where i can get this song. i loved it when i was a kid.

On her neck was Minnesota
On her shoulders was Tennessee
And tattooed on her back, was good old Hackensack
The place where I long to be
And on her (long whistle) was West Virginia
In those hills where I love to roam
And when the moon came up upon her Mississippi
That's when I recognized my home sweet home

you can email me at [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lydia, the Tattooed Lady
From: GUEST,Senior Senor
Date: 12 Jun 08 - 11:56 AM

I seem to remember these words.

On her neck was Minnesota
On her shoulders was Tennessee
And tattooed on her back, was good old Hackensack
That's the place where I long to be
And on her (long whistle) was West Virginia
Through those hills I just love to roam
And when the moon shone down on her Wabash
That's when I recognized my Indiana home

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lydia, the Tattooed Lady
From: Charley Noble
Date: 12 Jun 08 - 09:41 PM

Well, it was a song that got around! ;~)

I used to think it was just the kind of song that would make a great introduction to Geography. But maybe not!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lydia, the Tattooed Lady
From: Melissa
Date: 12 Jun 08 - 10:01 PM

The Tattoed Lady--(McDonald) Johnny White and his Rhythm Riders with Skeets McDonald

"once I married a tattoed lady
it was on a cold and winter day
and tattoed all around her body
was the map of the good old USA
and every night before I'd go to sleep
I'd jerk down the quilt and have a peep

Upon her leg was Minnesota..."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lydia, the Tattooed Lady
From: Melissa
Date: 12 Jun 08 - 10:06 PM

Turnabout being fair play and all, does anybody have the words to these tattoed lady songs:

"The tattoed lady from the circus fell in love with me...

...she tattoed my poor face
in the most peculiar place
now whenever she sits down
she sits on me"

Or, the one where she has a rusty hinge tat that looks so real it squeaks when she bends her knee?

(apologies to Lydia for bringing other ladies into the room..)