PUNCH,
OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.
Vol. 102.
March 5th, 1892.
POPULAR SONGS RE-SUNG.
Great is the might of the Meaningless! Especially in a rattling refrain or a rousing chorus. Big drum effects are always popular. What wonder clever Miss LOTTIE COLLINS'S "Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay!" is all the rage? "Her greatest creation" (vide advertisements), "sung and danced with the utmost verve," has taken the town. Will it "mar its use" to attach a meaning to it? Let us try:—
No. VI.—THAT'S HOW WEBOOM TO-DAY!
I.
A SMART "mug-lumberer" one must be
To-day, to "fetch" Sassiety;
Not too strict, of swagger free,
And as "fly" as "fly" can be.
Ever pushing, ever bold,
(Else one's left "out in the cold")
Thus Success you grasp, and hold.
And may sing, though Pecksniffs scold,—
Chorus.
Tra-la! We "boom" to-day!
That's how we "boom" to-day!
Bra-va! We "boom" to-day!
Hoo-rah! We "boom" to-day!
[And so on, six times or more.
II.
All want to "Boom." But don't be shy,
For modesty is all my eye.
Shun all reserve, if you would try
For "paying" notoriety.
If you would "make your pile" in haste,
You must not bother about "taste."
Every chance must be embraced,
If you would sing when fairly "placed,"
Chorus—Tra-la! We "boom" to-day!
[Over and over again.
III.
Art's a good game. 'Tis easier far
Than 'twas of old to be a Star.
Hit on some trick crepuscular,
Like smudge or smoke, and there you are!
They'll mouth, and call you "Master." So
You're sure—in time—to be a go.
You will catch on, and sell, although
Your meaning not a soul may know,—
Chorus—Tra-la-la! "Boom" to-day!
[Ad libitum.
IV.
If Humour is your little line,
Coherent sense you must resign,
Cry, "Paradox alone's divine!
LAMB had his manner, this is Mine!"
Try strain and twist; gnaw the dry bone
Of mirth till all the marrow's gone;
And crowds, who first stared like a stone,
Your "subtle genius" soon will own.
Chorus—Tra-la! We "boom" to-day!
[Ad nauseam.
V.
Is the Dramatic "biz" preferred?
There you may "boom" it like a bird.
Turn on the Absolute-Absurd;
By that strange tap the mob is stirred.
Be dismal, deathly, dirty, dim;
Grovelling, ghastly, gruesome, grim,
Anything meaning morbid whim;
Quidnuncs will cry, "What treuth! what vim!"
Chorus—Tra-la-la! "Boom" to-day!
[As long as you like!<