Origin: Tapioca

Subject: Tapioca - lyrics & origin
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 03 Nov 06 - 11:48 AM

My brother and I have a song that's been going through our heads since we were kids. We think it came from a movie. It's called Tapioca(we think):

          Workin' on the railroad, twenty cents a day
          Johnnie pick a tune on your banjo      [ plunk , plunk ]
          Listen to the wheels go clackin' on their way
          Tapioca, tapioca, tapioca they seem to say

          Tapioca, tapioca, All I ever eat is tapioca.
          Tapioca, tapioca, All I ever eat is tapioca.

Can anyone tell me where this came from and if there are any more verses?

Subject: RE: Tapioca - lyrics & origin
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 03 Nov 06 - 03:13 PM

You have an old minstrel tune and song, "Tapioca," that was written in 1861 by E. Warden. I will post the lyrics later today from the sheet music after I get it copied. Also appeared on song sheets, so it was popular during the Civil War era.

Subject: RE: Tapioca - lyrics & origin
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 03 Nov 06 - 04:06 PM

Sorry, guest Jim. I should have added the lyrics to this thread rather than create a new one.
96135: Tapioca

Subject: RE: Tapioca - lyrics & origin
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 03 Nov 06 - 04:15 PM

Have not seen a longer 'railroad' version. I hope it can be found.

Subject: RE: Tapioca - lyrics & origin
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Nov 06 - 12:52 PM

Q-

Odd that the version you dug up doesn't have "tapioca" in the lyrics, only in the title.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Tapioca - lyrics & origin
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 04 Nov 06 - 02:48 PM

May be a different song, but I can't find another that speaks of work.

"Let's Eat Tapioca"- Skride and Zinman. Nonsense song, ("Cures your halitosis and gets rid of your neurosis...") Arr. for Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Yo Yo Ma and the like.

"Tapioca"- A dance number in "Thoroughly Modern Millie," 1967 film.

"Tapioca Tundra Blues"- Sung by the Monkees, etc. The lyrics have no relation to those posted by Guest, Jim.

"Tapioca"- a rap song. Not seen.