Lyr Req: Pretty Little Dear (from Frank Crumit)

Subject: Song Info
From:
Date: 20 Jan 99 - 07:58 PM

There is a song that was sung to me by my Dad when I was a little girl. Now that I have a small child I am extremely interested if anyone knows anything or has even heard of this song (lyrics follow):

She's a pretty little girl and she lives uptown.
Her daddy is a butcher and her name is Brown.
Her beauty is of a high renown.
She's the girl for me.
Taken her to a dance one night. Was something so hot.
Danced until the lights went out. The music had to stop.
Taken her to a restaurant. The finest in the state.
Asked her if she were hungry and this is what she ate.
A dozen rolls, lettuce slaw, chicken and a roast.
Two big stews, an oyster stew, sauce and some toast.
When she asked for pie, I thought I'd die for I had but 50 (or 15) cents.

Sooooo ... If anyone has EVER heard this or heard of this, or has ANY information WHATSOEVER, I would be eternally grateful! (Ideas on any other way to search would also be welcome)

Thanks!

Tamera

Subject: Lyr Add: PRETTY LITTLE DEAR (from Frank Crumit)
From: Frank Maher
Date: 20 Jan 99 - 11:20 PM

Hi Tamera,
Great to know that there is still somebody out there who is interested in this music. Here are the lyrics:



PRETTY LITTLE DEAR
As recorded by Frank Crumit, 1926

She's a pretty little dear and she lives uptown.
Her daddy is a butcher and his name is Brown.
Her beauty is of a high renown.
She’s the girl for me.

Her eyes are bright as diamonds. Her teeth are white as pearls.
I tell you, boy, she's handsome, and you bet she's one of the girls.

She's a pretty little dear and she lives uptown.
Her daddy is a butcher and his name is Brown.
Her beauty is of a high renown.
She’s the girl for me.

We're going to get married tomorrow night.
I asked her daddy and he said, "All right."
I feel so bully, I’ve a notion to get tight.
But I know that wouldn't do,

Because her dad's a square old chap. He's the richest man in town.
He's going to give me a house and lot, along with Betsy Brown.

She's a pretty little dear and she lives uptown.
Her daddy is a butcher and his name is brown.
Her beauty is of a high renown.
She’s the girl for me.

I took my girl to a dance one night. It was a social hop.
We danced until the lights went out. The music had to stop.
I took her to a restaurant, the finest in the state.
She said she wasn't hungry, but this is what she ate:

A dozen raw, a plate of slaw, chicken and a roast,
Apple sass, sparrow grass, soft-shelled crabs on toast,
Two big stews, crackers too. Her appetite was immense.
When she asked for pie, I thought I’d die, for I had but fifty cents.

She's a pretty little dear and she lives uptown.
Her daddy is a butcher and his name is Brown.
Her beauty is of a high renown.
She’s the girl for me.

Her eyes are bright as diamonds. Her teeth are white as pearls.
I tell you, boy, she's handsome, and you bet she's one of the girls.

She's a pretty little dear and she lives uptown.
Her daddy is a butcher and his name is Brown.
Her beauty is of a high renown.
She’s the girl for me.

Subject: RE: 'Pretty Little Dear' Song Info
From: GUEST,Anjanette Arce
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 09:18 AM

I am happy to find these lyrics. My grandpa used to sing this song to me when I was a little girl!

Subject: RE: 'Pretty Little Dear' Song Info
From: GUEST,Bob Coltman
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 08:36 PM

"I Had But Fifty Cents" (from which the final two prodigious-eating verses were taken) and "Pretty Little Dear" (everything else in Frank Maher's text above) were originally two separate songs.

Evidently Frank Crumit was the one who crunched the two songs together as one. He recorded and copyrighted it in August 1926 as "Pretty Little Dear."

But "Betsey Brown" was a separate song in its own right, without the gorging. First to record it was Walter Morris for Columbia, Sept 1926. Al Hopkins and His Buckle Busters recorded it as "Betsy Brown" on October 23.

"Pretty Little Dear" was covered by half a dozen early country artists, and the melding of the two songs became standard. Yet they really don't sound very connected.

Meanwhile "(When) I Had But Fifty Cents" was recorded by numerous country artists beginning with Riley Puckett in 1924, Ernest Stoneman in 1925, Welby Toomey 1926, Bill Chitwood 1927 and so on. It generally did not have the "Pretty Little Dear / Betsy Brown" verses.

Gus Meade in his Country Music Sources traces "I Had But Fifty Cents" to a composition by Billy Mortimer - Dan Lewis 1881/Sam Devere, 18??).

He's less specific about "Betsy Brown," ("Pretty Little Dear"), but he traces it to an 1880 source whom / which he doesn't name.

I suppose this is another of those cases where two originally separate songs go on as one, like "Roll a Silver Dollar/Man Without a Woman." Myself, I like "Betsy Brown" in its original form, and prefer "I Had But Fifty Cents" as a separate pleasure, but that's just me.

Bob

Subject: Lyr Add: I HAD BUT FIFTY CENTS
From: GUEST,Gerry B.
Date: 31 Jan 08 - 04:34 PM

Here is the song you are looking for, the version my Dad sang. I never heard it anywhere else. Goes like this:

I took my girl to a fancy ball, it was a social hop.
We stayed until the lights went out, the music it did stop.
Then to a restaurant we went, the best one on the street;
She said she wasn't hungry, but this is what she eat:

A dozen rolls, a plate of slaw, a chicken and a roast,
Some applesass, asparagrass and soft shelled crabs on toast.
Next she tried some oysters fried, her appetite was immense!
When she called for pie I thought I'd die, for I had but fifty cents!

CHORUS: Well she is my hankie pankie, and I know she will come back;
I'll buy her a pair of brand new socks to wear on her poor old back,
A pound of cheese and a barrel of fleas to ride around the hack,
She is my 'Lizabeth Beecher from the County of Kalamazak.

Now after eating all of this, she smiled so very sweet;
She said she wasn't hungry and she wished that she could eat.
The very next order that she made, my heart within me sank!
She said she wasn't thirsty, but this is what she drank:

A whiskey skin, a glass of gin, a schooner of lager beer,
A ginger pop with rum on top, and then some champagne clear,
A bottle of ale and a soda cocktail astonished all the gents!
When she called for more I fell on the floor, for I had but fifty cents!

Now to finish up this delicate gal cleaned out an ice cream can.
She said, "Now Sam, I'll tell my ma you're such a nice young man".
She said she's bring her big sister along next she came for fun;
I handed the man the fifty cents, and this is what he done!

He broke my nose, he tore my clothes, he hit me in the jaw;
He gave me the prize of two black eyes, and with me swept the floor!
He took me where my pants were loose and fired me over the fence!
Take my advice, don't try it twice, if you have but fifty cents!

Subject: RE: 'Pretty Little Dear' Song Info
From: Peace
Date: 31 Jan 08 - 06:54 PM

Might want to check these, too.

Subject: RE: 'Pretty Little Dear' Song Info
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 05:17 PM

thanks..my dad used to play this on the guitar and sing it all my life...

Subject: RE: 'Pretty Little Dear' Song Info
From: GUEST,Steve Kallio
Date: 27 Aug 08 - 12:22 PM

Does anyone know where I could get an mp3 of this song? It was one of my Grandpa's 2 favorites to sing when driving. He'd just start singing "Pretty Little Dear" or "K-K-K-Katy, Beautiful Katy". I'd love to be able to give my mom a copy of them, and I was able to find K-K-K-Katy.
Can anyone help me on this?

Thanks

Subject: RE: 'Pretty Little Dear' Song Info
From: GUEST,an ex-Texan
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 01:33 AM

I remember my Daddy singing this song to me when I was 4 years old and I always thought it was funny. I've never heard anyone else even having heard it before. He didn't sing all of the verses because I only remember an abbreviated version.
    I took my girl to a swell affair; it was a social hop.
    We danced around until the old folks left and the music stopped.
    Into a restaurant we went; the finest on the street.
    She said she wasn't hungry but this is what she eat.
    A dozen raw, a plate of slaw........
    When she called for pie, I thought I'd die 'cause I had but 50 cents.
      He grabbed me where my pants were loose; with me he swept the floor.
      He threw me over the backyard fence; said, "Don't come here no more."

   I'm sure there is much more he sang and much more I have forgotten but this is what I still remember over 75 years later.

Subject: RE: 'Pretty Little Dear' Song Info
From: GUEST,colleen
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 01:24 PM

I am so excited to find this poem/song. My older brother recited this at a school talent show. It was probably about 1950 when he did this. Over the years it has always been an ongoing saying "I had but 50 cents". He is deceased now, but the memory lives on for me. I am going to pass this on to his children. Thanks again.

Subject: RE: 'Pretty Little Dear' Song Info
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 04 Jan 09 - 11:36 AM

This is interesting... my ex-wife used to quote a somewhat mangled version of this song that her grandfather (born 1909, deceased before I met her) would sing. But what she quoted made it sound like she had mis-remembered what he sang, or he had mis-remembered the song, or both. The funniest part (and the thing that got me looking for more info on the song) was that he sang "a paragraph on toast." She thought maybe it was supposed to be "asparagus on toast" but he'd insist it was "a paragraph." I guess he mis-remembered the part about "asparagrass."

Subject: RE: FIFTY CENTS
From: GUEST,Jenn J
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 10:22 AM

Not sure where these lyrics came from, but I grew up with my grandpa singing this:

I took my girl to a restaurant
for a perfect date
she said she wasn't hungry
but this is what she ate
Oh,
a bowl of soup, a dozen of eggs, a chicken, and a roast,
asparagus, some apple sauce, and two great plates of toast.

When along came the waiter,
and handed me the check
and when I showed him 50 cents
he grabbed me by the neck
Oh
He broke my nose,
He tore my clothes,
He wiped the floor with me,
He gave me a prize
of two black eye,
and swept the floor with me.

----------

Subject: RE: 'Pretty Little Dear' Song Info
From: GUEST,Kristina
Date: 17 Jan 10 - 11:41 PM

Thank you,I'm so glad I found all the words to this song ,,,my dad whose been gone for 13 years now used to sing this to me. Gerry B's version is the exact version my dad used to sing. I told my kids I would try to find all the words so I could sing it to them. Thanks, again! Kristina

Subject: RE: 'Pretty Little Dear' Song Info
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 11:30 PM

My Grandma use to sing this to me.,

She's a pretty little dear, she lived up town.
her daddy was a butcher and his name was Brown.
her beauty is of a high renown
and she's the girl for me.
I took her to a dance one night, it was a social hop.
we danced until the lights went out, the music had but stopped.
I took her to a restaurant, the swellest in the state,
she said she wasn't hunger, and this is what she ate:
A dozen rolls, potatoes, slaw, chicken and a roast
Applesass, sparagrass, soft shell crabs on toast,
two big stews. crackers too, her appetite was immense
when she asked for pie I thought I'd die for I had but 50 cents.

This song is near and dear to my heart, so glad others are familiar waith it.

Subject: RE: 'Pretty Little Dear' Song Info
From: Mr Red
Date: 02 Mar 10 - 05:38 AM

The Song you seek is also called Pretty Little Girl from Nowhere then you can get a recording of it (Phonofossils 7) from the first 1/3 of this century from Poppy Records. Adrian asked me to post because he recognises the words, (I will advise him on GUESTing).

Adrian (the best de-scratching whizz in the UK) has a series of CD's featuring some well known Music Hall (and Burlesque) performers doing less well known gems. I reviewed Phonofossils 1 to 5 for FolkWest, and they are a veritable latter-day audio chapbook.

eg Burns and Allen, Ralph Sutton, Tommy Handley, Katelby, George Robey
I could go on.....

Subject: RE: 'Pretty Little Dear' Song Info
From: GUEST,carol f lowery
Date: 27 Mar 10 - 02:54 PM

I have actually recorded myself singing this song with a group called foddershock, if you want a copy let me know:)

Subject: RE: 'Pretty Little Dear' Song Info
From: GUEST,Eric Gustafson
Date: 18 Aug 10 - 04:46 AM

Interesting and wonderful to see all the lyric versions. My grandfather used to sing the Frank Crumit version (posted by Frank Maher). The earliest I recall was when I was about 7 - some 36 years ago. He grew up in the pacific northwest if that has any bearing on what versions were more popular per locale.
I've found several of Crumit's recordings posted on youtube, but not the above song.

I also recall k-k-k-katie by Billy Murray. I believe the recording from the link below was taken from an original. - http://www.archive.org/details/BillyMurray-K-k-k-katie1919
There are others of Murray's on youtube as well.

Subject: RE: 'Pretty Little Dear' Song Info
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Sep 10 - 05:53 PM

Thats amazing My mom sang that to me (daughter) and all her grandbabies, but I never new all the words.   Thanks!

Subject: RE: 'Pretty Little Dear' Song Info
From: GUEST,Norman Harris
Date: 27 Jul 11 - 07:48 PM

I used to sing Frank Maher's version of this song at our little rural one room school called Eureka in Craig County Oklahoma back in the early 1940's. I had forgot most of it but am glad I found it again. I used to sing it for my kids when they were little. Now maybe I can sing it for my great grand-kids.

Subject: RE: 'Pretty Little Dear' Song Info
From: GUEST
Date: 29 May 12 - 07:48 PM

Have the old gramophone and recording on 78 - came from grandma's estate

Subject: Lyr Add: BASHFUL BETSY BROWN (Gardenier/Wiley)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 02 Apr 13 - 03:42 PM

Funny thing: although this isn't the same song at all, it's another example of the name "Betsy Brown" being used for a woman who costs a man a lot of money. Coincidence?

From the sheet music at the Archive of Popular American Music at UCLA:

(I have improved the punctuation and inserted line breaks to emphasize the rhyme.)


BASHFUL BETSY BROWN
Words by Ed. Gardenier. Music by Winthrop Wiley.
Samuel H. Speck, ©1901.

1. Once there was a village maiden, just arrived in town,
Oh, so shy!
Met a fly young city chappie, said he'd show her 'round,
Wise young guy!
First he took her to the theatre, then they went to dine,
Me, oh, my!
How his roll of long green vanished, when she ordered wine,
Extra dry!
She grew timid, blushing sweetly, cast her blue eyes down,
When he sighed, "I love you, bashful Betsy Brown."

CHORUS: Oh, bashful little Betsy, a coy young country maid,
With cheeks like apples rosy, her hair in one long braid—
To see her look of wonder, when taking in the town,
She'd do you good; she really would, shy, bashful Betsy Brown.

2. As they strolled along the av'nue, glitter caught her eye—
Diamond ring!
She said, "Sir, please let me wear it till we say goodbye."
Cute young thing!
"I just dote on French mixed candy," said this damsel shy.
"Shop's right near!
Get five pounds imported bonbons. You run in and buy.
I'll wait here."
Sweets cost chappie just five dollars, came back with a frown,
Gone was diamond, also bashful Betsy Brown. CHORUS.

Subject: Lyr Add: SHE WAS A DEAR LITTLE GIRL (Berlin/Snyder
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 02 Apr 13 - 04:09 PM

Another case of an expensive girl named Betsy Brown.

From the sheet music at the Levy Collection (click for a PDF):


SHE WAS A DEAR LITTLE GIRL
Words, Irving Berlin. Music, Ted Snyder.
New York: Ted Snyder Co., Inc., 1909.

1. Betsy Brown, a manicurist fair,
Dropped in town to get the city air,
Met the son of some millionaire,
Who had lots of time to spare—
Same old case of "I remember you"
Same old smile, and same old howdy-do,
Same old look of innocence true,
In her great big eyes so blue.

CHORUS: She was a dear little girl,
Dearest of dear little girls,
Dear little eyes, dear little size,
Dear little golden curls.
She murmured, "Dear, never fear.
I'll always hold you dear."
When she said so true,
"I'm fond of wine," he knew
She was a dear, dear girl.

2. Soon he took miss Betsy out to dine,
And they had the dearest little time,
For he bought the dearest of wine,
Till the pair were feeling fine.
Tho' it isn't altogether right
To remark about her appetite,
Seven waiters worked hard that night,
Serving what she called a bite.

CHORUS: She was a dear little girl,
Dearest of dear little girls,
Dear little eyes, dear little size,
Dear little golden curls.
She murmured, "Dear, never fear.
I'll always hold you dear."
To a check his pen
Was introduced, but then,
She was a dear, dear girl.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Pretty Little Dear (from Frank Crumit)
From: GUEST,James Fryer
Date: 04 Jul 20 - 03:18 AM

Calypsonian Duke of Iron recorded this as "50 cents" in the 1950s, there are copies on Youtube.