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ADD: Joshua (Nicer Than Lemon Squash You Are)

16 Dec 06 - 03:28 PM (#1911214)
Subject: Lyr Req: Joshua Joshua, Sweeter Than Lemon
From: GUEST,Jacqued

Music Hall song 'Joshua Joshua, Sweeter Than lemon Squash You Are'. Any catter with the words, please?

Jacqued


16 Dec 06 - 03:52 PM (#1911232)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Joshua Joshua, Sweeter Than Lemon
From: bobad

I got this from http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=126913

As with most music hall songs, there are likely several variations on
"Joshua". The song may have started one way, and then in different
times and places, people may have changed a lyric or two, accidentally
or deliberately.

But here is a fairly authoritative text, from what I can tell. The
person who put this text on the Internet has also posted dozens of
other music hall choruses. Perhaps you can evaluate the accuracy of
this text for "Joshua" by seeing if he has done a good job with the
words of other songs you know well.

"JOSHUA

Joshua, Joshua,
Why don't you call and see Mama,
She'll be pleased to know
You are my best beau.
Joshua, Joshua,
Nicer than lemon squash you are.
Yes, by gosh you are,
Joshu-oshu-a."

"Music Hall Choruses: Jack's The Boy - Just Like The Ivy"
Steve's Web Site
http://www.soft.net.uk/creative/chorusesj.htm

"Music Hall Choruses"
Steve's Web Site
http://www.soft.net.uk/creative/choruses.htm

"Music Hall"
Steve's Web Site
http://www.soft.net.uk/creative/new_page_1.htm

The reference to "lemon squash" has remained in several people's
minds. Here are snippets from the song, in slight variations:

- "Sweeter than lemon squash you are"

"Birthday Greetings" (July 7, 2001) [under "Barrett"]
This Is Hull and East Yorkshire
http://www.thisisnep.co.uk/familyarchive/2001/July%20Days/070701/class/000006.htm

- "Johsua, gosh you are / Sweeter than lemon squash you are"

"Lyrics to Joshua", by Cathryn Johns (2001-04-14)
Message in
Google Groups
http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=9b9ksu%241gb4%241%40news.adamastor.ac.za

[Incidentally, a song called "Joshua" is indeed part of a "Vaudeville
Routine" on "The Young Ones" by Cliff Richard, so you might want to
check that out. A listing for "The Young Ones" is at:

"The Shadows Collectors Guide - British Album Releases - Part One
(1959 - 1990)"
Cliff Richard & the Shadows - Worldwide Discography
http://www.cliffandshads.co.uk/shuklp1.html .]

- "Joshua, Joshua nicer than lemon squash, you are"

"Sujet de la discussion : A mon tour ;-)", message by guillaume (2
april 2002)
Forum pr�noms gar�ons
Notre familie
http://www2.notrefamille.com/v2/services_forums/forum_message.asp?forumid=1&parentid=5002&page=1

And then there's one person who says "orange squash":

- "Joshua, Joshua, Sweeter than orange squash you are"

"A Brief Affair", by Exintaris [near bottom of page]
Google cache of page from Jjaks.Net
http://216.239.37.100/search?q=cache:u8wjtzYyItEC:www.geocities.com/wacky_jjaks/othr/exin1.html

I hope that this information is helpful.

- justaskscott-ga


I used the following search terms, individually or in combination, on
Google, Google Groups, and other search engines:

joshua
"josh you are"
"gosh you are"
"squash you are"
"lemon squash"
"cliff richard"
"the young ones"


16 Dec 06 - 04:23 PM (#1911255)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Joshua Joshua, Sweeter Than Lemon
From: GUEST,Jacqued

Thanks, Bodad.   I had copped that too, but hoped there might be more to the song!   Or am I being greedy!?!

Regards,

Jacqued


16 Dec 06 - 04:42 PM (#1911269)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Joshua Joshua, Sweeter Than Lemon
From: Martin Graebe

The best known version of this (in the UK at least) was recorded by Clarice Mayne - a tremendous voice and a great performance. If you want to hear it you can get it from the wonderful Windyridge range of music hall CDs (at very sensible prices!) -   go here Joshua (Clarice Mayne) at Windyridge
Martin


16 Dec 06 - 04:44 PM (#1911271)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Joshua Joshua, Sweeter Than Lemon
From: McGrath of Harlow

There are more verses, I've heard them sung. This might help towards finding them - LOCATING MUSIC HALL SONGS


19 Dec 06 - 04:56 AM (#1913392)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Joshua (Nicer Than Lemon Squash You A
From: Paul Burke

Dracula, Dracula,
I'll take you home to see Mama,
She'll be shocked to see
What you've done to me!
Dracula, Dracula,
Your kisses are intravascular,
Mind my jugular,
Dracu-lacula!


19 Dec 06 - 07:08 AM (#1913457)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Joshua (Nicer Than Lemon Squash You Are)
From: Schantieman

Joshua courted Miss May
To be correct I should say,
She courted him, for he was so shy
Dare not say 'Boo' although no-one knew why...

They walked out for months and for months
But he never asked her to wed
They'd sit hand in hand while the soft shadows fall,
They'd sit there for hours and say nothing at all...

Each night he'd see May to her gate
But never would venture inside
.......?????........
Then quicker than thought he would vanish from sight

Till one night May lovingly said...

(da da da da da..)

Joshua, Joshua,
Why don't you call and see Mama?
She'll be pleased to know
You are my best beau.
Joshua, Joshua,
Nicer than lemon squash you are!
Oh! By gosh you are!
Joshu-oshua!


They were out walking one day
'Oh look! There's Mother!' cried May
Joshua stared - said May with a sigh,
'She is my stepmother, younger than I'

The couple were soon introduced;
He gazed with surprise at Mama.
Perhaps he preferred her, perhaps lost his head...
But Joshua married the mother instead!

Now each night May lovingly cries...


Joshua, Joshua,
Why don't you call and see Mama?
She'll be pleased to know
You are my best beau.
Joshua, Joshua,
Nicer than lemon squash you are!
Oh! By gosh you are!
Joshu-oshua!



The above is from memory (which is why one line is missing and I'm not too sure about one or two of the others either). I may have the words at home somewhere.    I nicked it from the singing of Ann Lennox-Martin on a tape made of Folkweave recorded in Sidmouth in about 1978, but I may have it in a book as well.

The tune of the verses is utterly different from the singable chorus!

These days you'd probably get into The Sun with a set of family relationships like that.


Steve


20 Aug 07 - 08:33 AM (#2129586)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Joshua (Nicer Than Lemon Squash You Are)
From: GUEST,Fiz Markham

Joshua courted Miss May
To be correct I should say
She courted him, for he was so shy
Would not say "Boo" although no one knew why.

They walked out for months and for months
But he never asked her to wed
They'd sit hand in hand where the dark shadows fall
They'd sit there for hours and say nothing at all
Then one night May blushingly cried

Chorus
Joshua, Joshua, why don't you call and meet Mama?
She'd be glad to know, you are my best beau
Joshua, Joshua, nicer than lemon squash you are
Oh by gosh you are, Josh - u - osh - u - a

Joshua said he would call
But never meant to at all
He'd never met May's loving Mama
But he knew something of what Mamas are

Each night he'd walk May to her gate
But never would venture inside
He'd give her a kiss, and he'd wish her goodnight,
Then quicker than thought he would vanish from sight
Whenever May lovingly cried

chorus

They were out walking one day
"Oh look! There's Mama!" said May
Joshua stared, said May with a sigh
She is my step-mama, younger than I

The couple were soon introduced
He gazed with surprise at Mama
Perhaps he preferred her, perhaps lost his head
But Joshua married the mother instead
And May never says now to Pa

Chorus

My grandmother reported that my uncle as a child used to go around the house gruffly singing the chorus.


The above is how I remember it. I had it in a book which has since been lost...


11 Aug 08 - 05:30 AM (#2410349)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Joshua (Nicer Than Lemon Squash You Are)
From: GUEST,Reggie

When I was 9 I sang this song in front of my entire Primary School at my own request. It is wonderful to see that others remember it too!

I am 30 now and sing it to my own children as their father is called......JOSHUA!

Nice coincidence huh?


12 Aug 08 - 10:25 PM (#2412168)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Joshua (Nicer Than Lemon Squash You Are)
From: Jim Dixon

By searching The British Library Sound Archive, I found that the title of Clarice Mayne's recording was JOSHUAH (note spelling). She made two recordings: one in 1912 and one in 1931. The song was written by George Arthurs and Bert Lee, and published by Francis Day & Hunter Ltd.

Other recordings were made by:
Andy Ross,
Anne Lennox Martin,
Antonio and His Accordion Men,
Bernard Bedford,
Big Ben Banjo Band,
Charlie Kunz,
Cliff Adams Singers,
Ian Cameron Quartet,
Isobel Baxter (Vocal) with the Balmbra's Music Hall Band,
Phil Kelsall,
Primo Scala's Accordion Band,
Stanley Black,
Tessie O'Shea,
The Tokens.


07 Jan 14 - 06:25 PM (#3589873)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Joshua (Nicer Than Lemon Squash You Are)
From: GUEST,lorayne

My mum use to sing this to us back in the 1940s then as we sisters had our children we also sang the song.
This evening my 84 years old sister phoned me asked me if I rememberd the words as her great grand son is being named Joshua born yesterday.
Thank you.


08 Jan 14 - 05:37 AM (#3589968)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Joshua (Nicer Than Lemon Squash You Are)
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge

I could add Billy Cotton (senior) to the list of performers- it was sung on several Sunday dinnertime 'Band Show' programmes, just after 'Educating Archie'


15 Mar 14 - 09:00 PM (#3609947)
Subject: Lyr Add: JOSHU-AH (George Arthurs & Bert Lee)
From: Jim Dixon

Here are the lyrics from the sheet music at The National Library of Australia:

Alice Russon's Great Chorus Song
"JOSHU-AH!"
Sung in J. C. Williamson's Ltd. Pantomime "Puss in Boots" Produced by Frank Dix.
Words and music by George Arthurs and Bert Lee.
Melbourne : Allans, ©1911.

1. Joshua courted Miss May.
To be correct, I should say
She courted him, for he was so shy,
Dare not say "Boo!" although no one knew why.
They walked out for months and for months,
But he never asked her to wed.
They'd sit hand in hand where the soft shadows fall.
He'd sit there for hours and say nothing at all,
So one night May blushingly said,

CHORUS: "Josh-u-ah, Josh-u-ah,
Why don't you call and see mamma?
She'll be pleased to know
You are my best beau.
Josh-u-ah, Josh-u-ah,
Nicer than lemon squash you are.
Yes, by gosh, you are,
Josh-u-osh-u-ah!"

2. Joshua said he would call,
But never meant to at all.
He'd never met May's loving mamma,
But he'd heard something of what mammas are!
Each night he saw May to her gate,
But never would venture inside.
He'd give her a kiss, and he'd wish her goodnight,
Then quicker than thought he would vanish from sight
Whenever May lovingly cried—CHORUS.

3. They met a lady one day.
"Oh! look, there's mother!" said May.
Joshua stared. Said May with a sigh,
"She is my step-mamma, younger than I."
The couple were soon introduced.
He gazed with surprise at mamma.
Perhaps he preferred her, perhaps lost his head,
But Joshua married the mother instead,
And May never sings now to Pa—CHORUS.


14 Jun 21 - 04:44 PM (#4110167)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Joshua (Nicer Than Lemon Squash You Are)
From: Joe Offer

Also at https://monologues.co.uk/musichall/Songs-J/Joshua.htm

Here's a performance -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UADIuTPFMa0

1912 recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN_nqw2AEJw


23 Aug 22 - 05:48 AM (#4150801)
Subject: JOSH-U-AH
From: GUEST,Written by George Arthurs and Bert Lee

Josh U AH written by George Arthurs and Bert Lee

Joshuah courted Miss May
To be correct I should say
She courted him for he was so shy
Dare not say Boo although' no one knew why
They walked out for months and for months
But he never asked her to wed
They'd sit hand in hand where the soft shadows fall
He'd sit there for hours and say nothing at all
So one night May blushingly said,

Chorus: Josh-u-ah, Josh-u-ah
Why don't you call and see Mama
She'll be pleased to know
You are my best beau
Josh-u-ah, Josh-u-ah
Nicer than lemon squash you are
Yes, by gosh you are
Josh-u-osh-u-ah.

Joshua said he would call
But never meant to at all
He'd never met May's loving mamma
But he'd heard something of what mammas are
Each night he would see May to her gate
But never would venture inside
He'd give her a kiss and he'd wish her goodnight
Then quicker than thought he would vanish from sight
Whenever May lovingly cried.

Chorus:

They met a lady one day
“Oh look, there's Mother.” said May.
Joshua stared, said May with a sigh
“She is my step-mother, younger than I
The couple were soon introduced
He gazed with surprise at mamma
Perhaps he preferred her, perhaps lost his head
But Joshua married the Mother instead
And May never sings now to Pa.

Chorus:
    Note from Joe Offer: Posted by the wonderful Monologue John Bartley.


26 Aug 22 - 12:26 PM (#4151067)
Subject: RE: ADD: Joshua (Nicer Than Lemon Squash You Are)
From: Long Firm Freddie

Sheet music pdf here

LFF