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11 Jun 07 - 08:58 AM (#2073557) Subject: Lyr Req: Broken Doll-UK wartime song From: Ythanside The best man at my wedding, an ex-Seaforth Highlander, used to sing two or three versions of this song. The fragments I can recall are as follows; A fellah came up to me a year ago, He said 'There's something I would like to know. Why aren't you in khaki or Air Force blue, Fighting for your country like the other fellahs do?' I, of course, immediately replied, 'I'd like to have the chance, but my left leg's left in France, I'm one of Scotland's broken dolls. Another verse/version perhaps has the words; Her glass eye, her false teeth she laid on the chair, When she took her wig off, baby, she wasn't there. She then unscrewed her arm and wooden leg, And what was left of her hopped into bed, And when I awoke, I found it was no joke, I was married to a broken doll. (Apologies for this one, but it's of its time and it's funny.) Any help would be appreciated. Cheers, Ythanside |
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11 Jun 07 - 12:35 PM (#2073767) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Broken Doll-UK wartime song From: GUEST,Georgina Boyes I think it's a parody of a Music Hall song, "A Broken Doll" written in 1916 by James W. Tate & Frank Clifford Harris with a refrain which begins - "You called me baby doll a year ago You told me I was very nice to know" and ends - "You left behind a broken doll" The second verse/version seems to have elements of a song called "The Boston Burglar" also found in parodies of "After the Ball" Hope this will helpful. Georgina |
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11 Jun 07 - 02:22 PM (#2073868) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Broken Doll-UK wartime song From: Ythanside Thanks, Georgina, I knew some Mudcatter would point me in the right direction. I had tried Google but they only came up with Cliff and Barbie, same difference I suppose but not very helpful. Cheers, Ythanside |
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11 Jun 07 - 04:09 PM (#2073974) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Broken Doll-UK wartime song From: Peace billtotten.blogspot.com/2005_01_01_archive.html I can't access that site just now. However, see if there's anything there to help you, Ythanside. |
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11 Jun 07 - 05:09 PM (#2074018) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Broken Doll-UK wartime song From: Mick Pearce (MCP) Martin Page's Kiss Me Goodnight Sergeant Major has the following short song: WHITE FEATHER I was walking down the street the other day, When I chanced to hear a certain lady say: "Why isn't he in khaki, or a suit of navy blue, Fighting for his country, like other fellows do?" I turned around, and this is what I said: "Now, lady, look, I've only got one leg. On two legs I'd be firmer, But the other on's out in Burma" (No other information with the song). Mick |
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11 Jun 07 - 05:20 PM (#2074031) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Broken Doll-UK wartime song From: Ythanside Hi there, Peace and Mick Pearce. Knowing where to look is clearly the secret, and you experienced Mudcatters are widening my source base tremendously. Many thanks for the info, Ythanside |
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11 Jun 07 - 05:50 PM (#2074068) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Broken Doll-UK wartime song From: Mick Pearce (MCP) Glad to help. You can find the sheet music for A Broken Doll in the Levy Sheet Music Collection: A Broken Doll. (That's the cover page - use the links to go through the pages). Mick |
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13 Jun 07 - 06:53 PM (#2076234) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Broken Doll-UK wartime song From: Jim Dixon The second one, the parody, is one of a genre of songs collectively called "The Dismantled Bride" or sometimes "The Dismembered Bride." I collected a bunch of them here. |
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13 Jun 07 - 07:06 PM (#2076249) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Broken Doll-UK wartime song From: Ythanside Cheers, Jim, great collection there. I'll put them to good use. Ta muchly, Ythanside |
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20 May 16 - 12:20 PM (#3791344) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Broken Doll-UK wartime song From: Mr Red I came across this kind of song today, remembered from his mother, but the fella was not ready to be recorded. He did say he would on a good day with the sunshine. It is a noisy environ, but when the sun is shining.... Maybe in a couple of weeks, but what I heard referred to a left arm in France & why aren't you in khaki or navy blue - definitely a WW1 version. I will return. |
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22 May 16 - 02:46 PM (#3791560) Subject: Lyr Add: A BROKEN DOLL (Harris/Tate) From: Jim Dixon A BROKEN DOLL "Successfully introduced by Miss Nora Bayes." Words by Clifford Harris. Music by James W. Tate. As recorded by Al Jolson, 1916, 1. I wonder why I always sigh the way I do, And now it seems that all my dreams are all of you. You used to be so nice to me in days gone by, But all that now is changed somehow; I wonder why. CHORUS: You called me baby doll a year ago. You told me I was very nice to know. I soon learned what love was; I thought I knew, But all I've learned has only taught me how to love you. You made me think you loved me in return. Don't tell me you are fooling after all; For if you turn away, You'll be sorry someday. You left behind a broken doll. 2. You'd bring me flowr's and stay for hours with me alone. You led me to believe that you were all my own. You let me see you wanted me; why don't you now? I'll prove I'm true if only you will show me how. CHORUS |
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22 May 16 - 03:06 PM (#3791565) Subject: Lyr Add: BROKEN DOLL (Johnny Bond/Lester Blackwell From: Jim Dixon I've seen this classified as "rockabilly:" BROKEN DOLL Words, Johnny Bond; music, Lester Blackwell. As recorded by Johnny Bond, 1957. 1. A broken doll, that's what you are, For he held you away too high. Now you've fallen; yes, you've fallen. You're just a broken, broken, broken, broken doll, Broken doll. 2. Pretty dolls were once your playthings, And you laughed to see them break. Now he's laughin' while you're cryin', Pretty broken, broken, broken, broken doll, Broken doll. 3. Why don't I go and dry your teardrops Like I've done so many times? But you won't let me; you don't want me, Pretty broken, broken, broken, broken doll. Broken doll. TAG: Now you've fallen; yes, you've fallen. You're just a broken, broken, broken, broken doll, Broken doll. |