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Lyr Req: Yes, Suh (Edgar Dowell/Andy Razaf)

01 Oct 03 - 11:47 AM (#1027304)
Subject: Lyr Req: 'Yes, Suh'
From: Gern

I'm looking for the words to this old jazz tune, known variously as "Yes, Suh" or "Yes, Sir." It's simple premise is a series of one-line questions involving the singer's love interest, etc., followed by the response of the title ("Did I leave without my hat? Yes, Sir.") I've heard it by Louis Armstrong and Eddie Condon, but neither version is easy to transcribe. Anyone know this?

01 Oct 03 - 02:21 PM (#1027398)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Yes, Suh'
From: nancyjo

Can't help with lyrics, but I know the Ink Spots recorded it. Maybe that'll help you track it down.

nancyjo

01 Oct 03 - 02:47 PM (#1027418)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Yes, Suh'
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

Cleaned up military version by Ray Davies at Yes Sir No Sir
Also Original military lyrics at: Sir Yes Sir

Not what you want, but the thread title makes this a good place to note these websites.

02 Oct 03 - 11:12 AM (#1028007)
Subject: ADD: YES, SUH! (Edgar Dowell/Andy Razaf)
From: GUEST

YES, SUH!
(Edgar Dowell/Andy Razaf)

Does my baby call me honey? - Yes, sir!
Does she help me spend my money? - Yes, sir!
When she breathes those heavy sighs
And she rolls them big brown eyes,
Does it make goose pimples rise? - Yes, sir!

Is there gonna be a wedding? - Yes, sir!
Is the news already spreading? - Yes, sir!
When we walk down side by side,
And they play "Here Comes the Bride,"
Will I be puffed out with pride? - Yes, sir!

Did I quit my misbehaving? - Yes, sir!
And is my razor just for shaving? - Yes, sir!
Did I cut out gin and dice?
And was that some sacrifice? - Yes, sir!

Did I call on Sally Pringle? - Yes, sir!
Did she vow that she was single? - Yes, sir!
When that man walked in that flat,
And he shouted out "Who is that?"
Did I leave without my hat? - Yes, sir!

Did I steal that chicken? - Yes, sir!
Did I do some sweet bone-pickin'? - Yes, sir!
When my neighbor counts his flock,
Will he get a shock?
And will he miss that Plymouth Rock? - Yes, sir!

(Here follows an additional verse made up by my friend and you can use it as long as you give him credit, but he won't give his name!):

Was I smoking marijuana? - Yes, sir!
Was I dressed in my pajamas? - Yes, sir!
Had I been drinking in the bar?
Did I push my luck too far?
And did I crash that car? - Yes, sir!

02 Oct 03 - 03:06 PM (#1028175)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Yes, Suh'
From: Gern

Hey, that's it! Wow. I was ready to give up on this one, as I couldn't find it written out anywhere, and the vocalists I knew who did it were rather muddy in delivery. Thanks a lot, GUEST. The folks at the nursing home will dig this!

03 Oct 03 - 03:29 AM (#1028587)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Yes, Suh'
From: GUEST

Try to hear the version by Milton Brown & His Musical Brownies, a 1930's Western Swing Band (one of the best, actually,) the vocals are clear on their version.If you like Yes Sir! you'll find they do several other numbers that you will like.

04 Oct 03 - 06:07 PM (#1029698)
Subject: Lyr Add: YES, SUH! (Edgar Dowell/Andy Razaf)
From: Jim Dixon

Here's my transcription from a 1932 recording by the Rhythmakers, which I found at The Red Hot Jazz Archive:
    YES, SUH!
    (Edgar Dowell/Andy Razaf)

    Does my baby call me honey? (Yes, sir!)
    Do I let her spend my money? (Yes, sir!)
    When I hear her gentle sighs
    And she rolls them big black eyes,
    Does it make goose pimples rise? (Yes, sir!)

    Is there gonna be a wedding? (Yes, sir!)
    Am the news already spreading? (Yes, sir!)
    When we march up side by side
    And they play "Here Comes the Bride,"
    Will I be puffed up with pride? (Yes, sir!)

    Did I call on Sally Pringle? (Yes, sir!)
    Did she vow that she was single? (Yes, sir!)
    When a man rushed in the flat
    And demanded, "Who is that?",
    Did I leave without my hat? (Yes, sir!)

    Did I come home with a chicken? (Yes, sir!)
    Did we do some sweet bone-pickin'? (Yes, sir!)
    When my neighbor counts his flock,
    Is he gonna get a shock (haha)
    When he misses his Plymouth Rock? (Yes, sir!)
The Red Hot Jazz Archive also has a 1941 recording by Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra on this page. Armstrong sings it slightly differently; he sings the first "Yes, sir" himself followed by a response from his orchestra members. He also inserts this verse ahead of the Sally Pringle verse, and omits the chicken verse. On the last line of the song, he sings "Yowzah!" instead of "Yes, sir," and there is no response.
    Did I cut out misbehaving? Yes, sir. (Yes, sir.)
    Is my razor just for shaving? Yes, sir. (Yes, sir.)
    Did I take my gal's advice?
    Did I give up gin and dice?
    Now, wasn't that some sacrifice? Yes, sir. (Yes, sir.)
Under the title YES SUH, it was also performed by Henry "Red" Allen, Billy Banks, Eddie Condon, The Ink Spots, Ozzie Nelson, and the Washboard Rhythm Kings.

Under the title YES SIR, it was performed by Milton Brown & The Brownies

Under the title DOES MY BABY CALL ME HONEY, YES SIR, it was performed by Retta & The Smart Fellas on their album "They Took the Stars Out of Heaven" (2003).

24 Oct 03 - 07:36 PM (#1041329)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Yes, Suh'
From: GUEST,Gene

Found an 8-track of the LIGHTCRUST DOUGHBOYS at a
thrift store a few weeks ago with YES SIR on it...
similar lyrics ...

Probably have the Milton Brown/Brownies version also.

25 Oct 03 - 11:45 AM (#1041628)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Yes, Suh'
From: GUEST,honestfrankie

I think that the Maddox Bros. and Rose did a version of this song.

27 Oct 03 - 08:41 AM (#1042485)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Yes, Suh'
From: Wolfgang

There's a completely unrelated German song with the same title:

Yes, Sir!

    Man nennt mich Miß Vane, die Berühmte, Bekannte - yes Sir!
    Die nicht sehr Beliebte bei Onkel und Tante - no, Sir!
    Man fürchtet, ich könnt die behüteten Neffen
    im Spielsalon oder im Himmelbett treffen.
    Ich könnt Sie verführen mit tausend Listen,
    zu etwas, das sie vielleicht doch noch nicht wüßten.

    Yes, Sir! Yes, Sir!
    So bin ich am ganzen Leibe ich, so bin ich und so bleibe ich.
    Yes, Sir!

    So wie ich hier stehe, so bin ich eben - yes Sir!
    Die Schönheit ist mir nicht umsonst gegeben - no, Sir!
    Die tausenden kleinen pikanten Histörchen,
    die leise geraunten Alkovenmärchen,
    die sind nicht umsonst mir angedichtet,
    denn auch ein schlechter Ruf verpflichtet.

    Yes, Sir! Yes, Sir!
    So bin ich am ganzen Leibe ich, so bin ich und so bleibe ich.
    Yes, Sir!

    Und muß ich mein irdisches Gastspiel beenden - yes, Sir!
    Sollt ihr euch nicht gleichgültig von mir wenden - no, Sir!
    Ich habe geliebt, und ich habe geküßt,
    weil die Liebe doch dazu erfunden ist,
    wie alle es hier tun seit tausenden Jahren,
    nur darf man um Gottes Will`n nichts erfahren.

    Yes, Sir! Yes, Sir!
    So bin ich am ganzen Leibe ich, so bin ich und so bleibe ich.
    Yes, Sir!

Wolfgang

10 Dec 11 - 11:10 PM (#3271854)
Subject: ADD: 'Yes, Suh'
From: GUEST,brent

Here is the version I have, from I believe the Ink Spots but I can't confirm it:

YES, SUH!
(Edgar Dowell/Andy Razaf)

Yes, Yes.
Well, does my baby call me honey? (Yes, Sir)
Does she let me spend her money? (Yes, Sir)
Whoa, when I hear her gentle sighs
And she rolls them big black eyes,
Will that make goose pimples rise? (Yes, Sir)

Well, is there gonna be a weddin'? (Yes, Sir)
With the news around already spreadin'? (Yes, Sir)
When we truck up side by side,
And they play "Here Come the Bride",
Will I be puffed out with pride? (Yes, Sir)

Come home with a chicken? (Yes, Sir)
Then we cat's have a sweet bone pickin'. (Yes, Sir)
Oh, when the neighbors count they flock,
And they miss that Plymouth Rock,
Ain't they gonna have a shout? (Yes, Sir)

Did I call on Sally Springle? (Yes, Sir)
Did the chocolate drop say she was single? (Yes, Sir)
Whoa, when I went up to her flat,
Someone demanded "Who was that?"
I dropped on out without my hat! (Yes, Sir)