Daddy Wouldn't Buy Me a Bow Wow
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Daddy Wouldn’t Buy Me a Bow Wow was written in 1892 by prolific English songwriter Joseph Tabrar.
Apparently Tabrar was present in an agent's office as an unnamed singer was telling the agent that she was looking for a "really good song". As they continued their discussion Tabrar wrote Daddy Wouldn't Buy Me a Bow Wow in the corner. However when he offered her the song she immediately turned it down, saying it couldn't possibly be any good if he'd written it so quickly! Of course it soon became a huge hit.
The song was first perfomed in 1892 by Vesta Victoria on the stage of the South London Palace (known as the 'Sarf' by the locals in their Cockney accent), when she appeared on stage with a kitten hidden in a basket of flowers. The same year it was recorded by Silas Leachman, and in 1895 Toulouse-Lautrec painted May Belfort singing it.
The song featured in the 1934 musical movie Evergreen, sung by Jessie Matthews, and was also revived after World War II.
Music Hall was well known for its double entendres, and it has been suggested that the references to a cat may not be as innocent as it may appear.
On CD
- A version of Vesta singing the song can be found on the CD 60 Old-Time Variety Songs (ISBN 0-86175-008-X)
- It also appears on the Ultimate Pub Sing-A-Long Album
Lyrics
I love my little cat, I do
With soft black silky hair
It comes with me each day to school
And sits upon the chair
When teacher says "why do you bring
That little pet of yours?"
I tell her that I bring my cat
Along with me because
Daddy wouldn't buy me a bow-wow! bow wow!
Daddy wouldn't buy me a bow-wow! bow wow!
I've got a little cat
And I'm very fond of that
But I'd rather have a bow-wow
Wow, wow, wow, wow
We used to have two tiny dogs
Such pretty little dears
But daddy sold 'em 'cause they used
To bite each other's ears
I cried all day, at eight each night
Papa sent me to bed
When Ma came home and wiped my eyes
I cried again and said
Daddy wouldn't buy me a bow-wow! bow wow!
Daddy wouldn't buy me a bow-wow! bow wow!
I've got a little cat
And I'm very fond of that
But I'd rather have a bow-wow
Wow, wow, wow, wow
I'll be so glad when I get old
To do just as I "likes"
I'll keep a parrot and at least
A half a dozen tykes
And when I've got a tiny pet
I'll kiss the little thing
Then put it in its little cot
And on to it I'll sing
Daddy wouldn't buy me a bow-wow! bow wow!
Daddy wouldn't buy me a bow-wow! bow wow!
I've got a little cat
And I'm very fond of that
But I'd rather have a bow-wow
Wow, wow, wow, wow