[PW] Re: ? Ta Ra ra boom D A

[Ellen Cousins]

Here is a summary:

Music hall performer Lottie Collins became a household name thanks to 
the song 'Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay' and the dance that went with it. She 
would begin the song slowly and quietly, and then at the end of the 
first verse she would leave a long pause, put one hand on her hip and 
launch into the chorus and a wild can-can dance. Her high kicks, 
accompanied by a big drum and 'an excited foam of lace petticoat' 
delighted or shocked audiences, depending on their sensibilities.

The playwright George Bernard Shaw went to see her perform in 1892 while 
still in his twenties, and described how she did three low kicks on the 
'Ta-ra-ra' and then a high kick on the 'boom'. He added admiringly: 
'Miss Collins appears to be in fine athletic training.'

Created: Around 1891

http://www.peopleplayuk.org.uk/collections/object.php?object_id=386

You may not be old enough to read the lyrics:

The Original Creation
"Ta-Ra-Ra Boom-De-Ay!" (1891)
by Henry J. Sayers
As Sung by Miss Lottie Collins
in "Miss Helyett"

1.
A smart and sty[l]ish girl you see,
Belle of good society;
Not too strict, but rather free,
Yet as right as right can be!
Never forward, never bold--
Not too hot and not too cold,
But the very thing, I'm told,
That in your arms you'd like to hold!...

Full lyrics here:

http://www.pdmusic.org/1800s/91trrbda.txt

Ellen C.


Mary Barna wrote:
> The song.  Patron wants to know when the song became popular and why.
> "Was it from the Can Can or for a political campaign or what?" I
> couldn't look it up online because I don't know if the spelling is
> correct.
> 
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