Music hall songs were sung in the music halls by a variety of artistes. Most of them were comic in nature. There are a very large number of music hall songs, and most of them have been forgotten. In London between 1900 and 1910, a single publishing company,

Francis, Day and Hunter Francis, Day & Hunter is a British music publishing company, one of the leading publishers of music hall songs and popular music in the late 19th and 20th centuries. It was established in London in 1877 as W. & J. Francis and Day, later Francis ...

, published between forty and fifty songs a month.

Examples

They number in their tens of thousands and include the following: *" After the Ball" (

Charles K. Harris Charles Kassel Harris (May 1, 1867 – December 22, 1930) was a well regarded American songwriter of popular music. During his long career, he advanced the relatively new genre, publishing more than 300 songs, often deemed by admirers as ...

) *"The Army of Today's All Right" *" Any Old Iron" (music by Charles Collins; lyrics by Terry Sheppard) sung by

Harry Champion William Henry Crump (17 April 1865 – 14 January 1942), better known by the stage name Harry Champion, was an English music hall composer, singer and comedian, whose onstage persona appealed chiefly to the working class communities of Ea ...

. *"

Boiled Beef and Carrots "Boiled Beef and Carrots" is a comedic music hall song published in 1909. It was composed by Charles Collins and Fred Murray. The song was made famous by Harry Champion who sang it as part of his act and later recorded it. The song extols the vi ...

" (Charles Collins and

Fred Murray Frederick Anthony "Fred" Murray (born 22 May 1982, Clonmel, County Tipperary) is an Irish former footballer and physiotherapist. Playing career Murray played his youth football at Belvedere before going abroad. At Belvedere he played in the ...

) sung by Harry Champion. *" The Boy I Love is up in the Gallery" (

George Ware George Ware, Ph.D. (1924–2010) was an American dendrologist and former research director of the Morton Arboretum Illinois who specialized in the evaluation of Asiatic species of elm as urban trees.''Chicago Suburban Daily Herald'', 7 July 2010. ...

) sung by

Nelly Power Nelly PowerWhile her name is given variously as Nellie or Nelly in contemporary press reports and in advertisements for her appearances, Nelly is the name on her gravestone. (10 April 1854 – 19 January 1887) was the stage name of Ellen Mari ...

and Marie Lloyd. *" Burlington Bertie from Bow" (

William Hargreaves William Hargreaves (1880–1941) was a British composer, mainly of songs for the music hall. His most famous composition was '" Burlington Bertie from Bow" in 1916 but he also wrote "Delaney's Donkey", "I Know Where the Flies Go", "PC 49", "We A ...

) sung by

Ella Shields Ella Shields (27 September 1879 – 5 August 1952) was a music hall singer and male-impersonator. Her famous signature song, " Burlington Bertie from Bow", a parody of Vesta Tilley's " Burlington Bertie", written by her manager and first husba ...

. *" Daddy Wouldn't Buy Me a Bow Wow" (

Joseph Tabrar Joseph Tabrar (5 November 1857 – 22 August 1931) was a prolific English writer of popular music hall songs. His song "Daddy Wouldn't Buy Me a Bow Wow" (1892) became Vesta Victoria's first major popular success.Vesta Victoria Vesta Victoria (born Victoria Lawrence, 26 November 1873 – 7 April 1951) was an English music hall singer and comedian. She was famous for her performances of songs such as " Waiting at the Church" and "Daddy Wouldn't Buy Me a Bow Wow", both ...

. *" Daisy Bell" (

Harry Dacre Harry Dacre was the pen-name of Frank Dean (September 1857–16 July 1922), a British songwriter best known for his composition "Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built For Two)". Biography Dean was born on the Isle of Man, where he was baptised on 6 Septem ...

) sung by

Katie Lawrence Katie Lawrence (17 September 1868 – 21 October 1913) was an English music-hall singer, best known for Harry Dacre's 1890s' hit "Daisy Bell". Appearances in other media The Impressionist painter Walter Sickert produced some hundred and sixty ...

. *"

Don't Dilly Dally on the Way "Don't Dilly Dally on the Way", subtitled "The Cock Linnet Song" and often credited as "My Old Man (Said Follow the Van)", is a music hall song written in 1919 by Fred W. Leigh and Charles Collins, made popular by Marie Lloyd. The song, althou ...

" (Charles Collins and

Fred W. Leigh William Frederick Bridgen (1871 – 21 August 1924), known professionally as Fred W. Leigh, was an English lyricist who co-wrote several popular music hall songs of the early twentieth century, Biography Born in London, he worked when young i ...

) sung by Marie Lloyd. *"

Down at the Old Bull and Bush "Under the Anheuser Bush" is a beer garden song commissioned by the Anheuser-Busch brewing company in 1903. With music by Harry Von Tilzer and words by Andrew B. Sterling, the title contains a pun on the surnames of the company's founders ("Busch" ...

" (music by

Harry von Tilzer Harry Von Tilzer (born Aaron Gumbinsky, also known as Harry Gumm; 8 July 1872 – 10 January 1946) was an American composer, songwriter, publisher and vaudeville performer. Early life Von Tilzer was born in Detroit, Michigan. His parents, Sarah ...

; lyrics by

Andrew B. Sterling Andrew B. Sterling (August 26, 1874 – August 11, 1955) was an American lyricist. Biography Born in New York City, after he graduated from high school, he began writing songs and vaudevilles. An important event was his meeting with the compo ...

) sung by

Florrie Forde Flora May Augusta Flannagan ( Flannagan; 16 August 187518 April 1940), known professionally as Florrie Forde, was an Australian popular singer and music hall entertainer. From 1897 she lived and worked in the United Kingdom. She was one of the ...

. *"

Goodbye, Dolly Gray "Goodbye, Dolly Gray" is a music hall song, with lyrics by American Will D. Cobb and music by American Paul Barnes, first published in 1897 by the Morse Music Publishing Company ( Theodore F. Morse). The song was the publishers' first hit. His ...

" (Paul Barnes; Will. D. Cobb) sung by

George Lashwood George Lashwood (born Edward George Wright; 25 April 1863 – 20 January 1942) was a popular English singer and comedian of the Edwardian era, who performed in music halls throughout the country, especially in London's East End and at seaside l ...

. *"

Has Anybody Here Seen Kelly? "Has Anybody Here Seen Kelly?", with music and lyrics by C. W. Murphy and Will Letters (1908), is a British music hall song, originally titled "Kelly From the Isle of Man". The song concerns a Manx woman looking for her boyfriend during a visit ...

" (

C.W. Murphy Charles William Murphy (14 February 1870 – 18 June 1913) was a prolific British composer of music hall and musical theatre tunes. Biography He was born William Murphy in Manchester, England.Lamb, Andrew. "C. W. Murphy, Edwardian Song Compo ...

and Will Letters) sung by Florrie Ford. *"

Hello, Hello, Who's Your Lady Friend? "Hello! Hello! Who's Your Lady Friend?" is an English music hall song from 1913, with music by Harry Fragson and words by Worton David and Bert Lee. The song was recorded by Fragson in 1913,Richard Anthony Baker, ''British Music Hall: an illustr ...

" (music by Harry Fragson; lyrics by

Worton David Ernest Worton David (17 October 1872 – 15 November 1940) was an English songwriter and music publisher. Biography Worton David was born in Rawmarsh, near Rotherham in the West Riding of Yorkshire; Worton was his mother's maiden name. At fi ...

and

Bert Lee William Herbert Lee (11 June 1880 – 23 January 1946) was an English songwriter. He wrote for music hall and the musical stage, often in partnership with R. P. Weston. Life and career Lee was born in Ravensthorpe, Yorkshire, England.Richard A ...

) sung by

Mark Sheridan Mark Sheridan (11 September 1864 – 15 January 1918), born Frederick Shaw, was an English music hall comedian and singer. He became a popular performer of lusty seaside songs and originated the J. Glover-Kind classic, " I Do Like to Be Beside ...

. *"Hold Your Hand Out, Naughty Boy" (C.W. Murphy and Will Letters) sung by Florrie Ford. *"

I'm Henery the Eighth, I Am "I'm Henery the Eighth, I Am" (also "I'm Henery the VIII, I Am" or "I'm Henry VIII, I Am"; spelled "Henery" but pronounced " 'Enery" in the Cockney style normally used to sing it) is a 1910 British music hall song by Fred Murray and R. P. Weston ...

" (1911) (

and Bert Weston) sung by Harry Champion. *"The Honeysuckle and the Bee" *" I Do Like to Be Beside the Seaside" sung by various people including

and Florrie Forde. *"I Live in Trafalgar Square" (C.W. Murphy) sung by Morny Cash. *"If It Wasn't For The 'Ouses In Between" (music by George Le Brunn; lyrics by Edgar Bateman) sung by

Gus Elen Ernest Augustus Elen (22 July 1862 – 17 February 1940) was an English music hall singer and comedian. He achieved success from 1891, performing cockney songs including "Arf a Pint of Ale", "It's a Great Big Shame", "Down the Road" and "If It ...

. *" If You Want to Know the Time, Ask a Policeman" (Edward Rogers and Augustus Durandeau) sung by

James Fawn James Fawn (born James Simmonds; 1847–19 January 1923) was a British music hall comic entertainer, popular towards the end of the 19th century when he was often billed as 'The Prince of the Red Nosed Comedians'. His best known song was "Ask a P ...

. *"It's a Bit of a Ruin That Cromwell Knocked About a Bit" (Harry Bedford; Terry Sullivan) sung by Marie Lloyd. *"

It's a Long Way to Tipperary "It's a Long Way to Tipperary" (or "It's a Long, Long Way to Tipperary") is an English music hall song first performed in 1912 by Jack Judge, and written by Judge and Harry Williams, though authorship of the song has long been disputed. It ...

" (1914) (

Jack Judge John "Jack" Judge (3 December 1872 – 25 July 1938) was a Anglo-Irish songwriter and music-hall entertainer best remembered for writing the song "It's a Long Way to Tipperary". Judge originally wrote and sang the song in 1912, but the far more ...

and Harry Williams) sung by Florrie Forde. *"

Knees Up Mother Brown "Knees Up Mother Brown" is a pub song, believed to date back as early as the 1800s, but first published in 1938, and with origins in the East End of London. With its origins in public houses of East London, it was associated with Cockney culture. ...

" a song, published in 1938, by which time it had already been known for some years. *"

Let's All Go Down the Strand "Let's All Go Down the Strand" is a popular British music hall song of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, written by Harry Castling and C. W. Murphy. It was first performed by Castling, and was published in 1909. It was inspired by the S ...

" (

Harry Castling Henry Castling (19 April 1865 – 26 December 1933) was an English lyricist of music hall songs. Biography Castling was born in Newington, London, the son of a street musician. He began writing songs in the 1890s, often collaborating on both ...

and

) sung by Charles R. Whittle. *"

Maybe It's Because I'm a Londoner ''Maybe It's Because I'm a Londoner'' is a 1944 British song composed by Hubert Gregg.Evans p.102 Gregg, a pre-war broadcaster for the BBC, was on leave during the Second World War when he wrote the work. It has been recorded by a number of artist ...

" (

Hubert Gregg Hubert Robert Harry Gregg (19 July 1914 – 29 March 2004) was a British broadcaster, writer and actor. In his later years, he was known for the BBC Radio 2 "oldies" shows ''A Square Deal'' and ''Thanks for the Memory''. He was also a novelist, ...

) *"

Nellie Dean "(You're My Heart's Desire, I Love You) Nellie Dean" is a sentimental ballad in common time by Henry W. Armstrong, published in 1905 by M. Witmark & Sons of New York City. The original sheet music is scored in B-flat major for voice and piano ...

" (

Henry W. Armstrong Henry W. Armstrong (July 22, 1879 – February 28, 1951) was an American boxer, booking agent, producer, singer, pianist, and Tin Pan Alley composer.Gertie Gitana Gertie Gitana (born Gertrude Mary Astbury; 27 December 1887 – 5 January 1957) was an English music hall entertainer. Biography She was born in Shirley Street, Longport, Staffordshire, Longport, Stoke-on-Trent.Oh! It's a lovely war" sung by Ella Shields. *"

Oh! Mr Porter "Oh! Mr Porter" is an old British music hall song about a girl who has got on the wrong train. It was famously part of the repertoires of the artistes Norah Blaney and It was written in 1892 by George Le Brunn and his brother Thomas, and taken o ...

" (music by George Le Brunn; lyrics by Thomas Le Brunn) sung by Marie Lloyd. * "

Proper Cup of Coffee "Proper Cup of Coffee" or "What I Want Is a Proper Cup of Coffee" (Roud: V53398) is a 1926 novelty song by music hall composers Bert Lee and R. P. Weston. An early recording was by Ernie Mayne and it was recorded by the Andrews Sisters in 1958. It ...

" *"She Was A Sweet Little Dicky Bird" *"

Ship Ahoy! (All the Nice Girls Love a Sailor) "Ship Ahoy! (All the Nice Girls Love a Sailor)" is an English music hall song from 1908, written by Bennett Scott and A. J. Mills of the Star music publishing company in London. Some sources credit Scott alone; others additionally credit their ...

", performed by

Hetty King Winifred Emms (4 April 1883 – 28 September 1972), best known by her stage name Hetty King, was an English entertainer who performed in the music halls as a male impersonator over some 70 years. Early life She was born in New Brighton, Ches ...

*" Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay" (Harry J. Sayers) sung by Lottie Collins. *" The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo" (Fred Gilbert) sung by Charles Coborn. *"To Be There" (1886) (written by C.A. Page ; composed by J. Iliffe.) sung by

Sam Torr Samuel Joseph Torr (18491923) was an English music hall comedian who performed in a style known as lion comique. He was known for songs including 'To Be There', 'The Same Old Game', and, perhaps most famously of all, 'On the Back of Daddy-O'. ...

. *"

Waiting At The Church "Waiting at the Church" is a popular British music hall song written by Fred W. Leigh (words) and Henry E. Pether (music) for Vesta Victoria, and copyrighted in 1906. It is sung by a bride-to-be who has given her fiancé, Obadiah Binks, al ...

" ( Henry E. Pether;

) sung by Vesta Victoria. *"

We're Going to Hang out the Washing on the Siegfried Line "We're Going to Hang out the Washing on the Siegfried Line" is a popular song by Irish songwriter Jimmy Kennedy, written whilst he was a Captain in the British Expeditionary Force during the early stages of the Second World War, with music by Mic ...

" by Jimmy Kennedy was first published in 1939 *"

When Father Papered the Parlour When Father Papered the Parlour is a popular song, written and composed by R. P. Weston and Fred J. Barnes in 1910. It was performed by comedian Billy Williams (music hall performer), Billy Williams, and was one of his most successful hits. Refe ...

" (Weston and Barnes) sung by

Billy Williams Billy Leo Williams (born June 15, 1938) is a former left fielder and coach in Major League Baseball (MLB) who played from 1959 to 1976, almost entirely for the Chicago Cubs. A six-time All-Star, Williams was named the 1961 National League (NL) ...

. *"

Where Did You Get That Hat? "Where Did You Get That Hat?" is a comic song which was composed and first performed by Joseph J. Sullivan at Miner's Eighth Avenue Theatre in 1888. It was a great success and has since been performed by many others including J. C. Heffron, Stan ...

" (James Rolmaz) sung by J.C Heffron. *"Your Baby Has Gone Down The Plughole" (also known as "A Mother's Lament" and "The Angels' Reply") (writer unknown), later covered by

Cream Cream is a dairy product composed of the higher-fat layer skimmed from the top of milk before homogenization. In un-homogenized milk, the fat, which is less dense, eventually rises to the top. In the industrial production of cream, this process ...

Bawdy examples

Many of the following burlesque songs, which were written before the

First World War World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

, continue to be sung today in certain British

Rugby Football Rugby football is the collective name for the team sports of rugby union and rugby league. Canadian football and, to a lesser extent, American football were once considered forms of rugby football, but are seldom now referred to as such. The ...

clubs. *" Christmas Day In The Cookhouse" *"Dinah, Dinah Show Us Your Leg" *" Good Ship Venus" *"It's Hard to Say I Love You" *" Ivan Skavinsky Skavar" *"My Father's a Lavatory Cleaner" *"

Old Dan Tucker "Old Dan Tucker," also known as "Ole Dan Tucker," "Dan Tucker," and other variants, is an American popular song. Its origins remain obscure; the tune may have come from oral tradition, and the words may have been written by songwriter and perfor ...

" *" Parlez Vous" *"The Great Big Wheel" a.k.a. the "

Engineer's Song "Godiva's Hymn", "Engineer's Hymn" or "Engineers' Drinking Song" is a traditional drinking song for North American engineers. Versions of it have been associated with the Army Corps of Engineers, as well as MIT, MTU, and various other universitie ...

" *" The Moon Shines Bright on Charlie Chaplin" *"The Gentleman Soldier"

References

*Peter Gammond (1973) ''Your Own, Your Very Own!: A Music Hall Scrapbook''. London: Ian Allan,

Notes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Music Hall Songs Music hall