WICKED MR PUNCH

played by RUDY STARITA XYLOPHONE SOLO WITH ARTHUR LALLY AND HIS ORCHESTRA.
VOCAL;- AL BOWLLY.
RECORDED, LONDON, SEPTEMBER 21ST, 1932.
FOR DECCA.
(THIS IS THE REVERSE SIDE OF ''DANCE OF THE CUCKOOS'')

THE WORDS TO THIS RATHER STRANGE CHILDREN'S TUNE WOULD HAVE PROBABLY FRIGHTENED THEM I THINK!

''WICKED MR PUNCH, MEETS JUDY,
MAKES A DATE FOR LUNCH, GET'S BROODY,
WHEN SHE APPEARS, HE BOXES HER EARS INSTEAD.
NOW JUDY ON THE FLOOR, SHOUTS ''MURDER!''
SOMEBODY NEXT DOOR, HAS HEARD HER,
FOLLOW THE CLUE, IT'S COVERED IT'S TRUE, SHE'S DEAD.
WHAT A DREADFUL TALE OF GRIEF AND WOE,
TO THE VILLAGE JAIL, OLD PUNCH MUST GO.
SO THE PEOPLE CRY ''ARREST HIM!''
AND THE COPPERS TRY TO GET HIM,
BUT MR PUNCH DEFIANTLY SHOUTS ''NO! NO!''

Category:

Music

Tags:

• ARTHUR
• LALLY
• RUDY
• STARITA
• AL
• BOWLLY
• 78
• RPM

[yohei72]

I'm surprised no one here seems to know that Mr. Punch and Judy have been beloved characters among British children and adults since at least the 18th century (longer?). Violent and very black-humored puppet shows featuring their antics are an endemic part of popular culture in the UK. The lyric wouldn't have been the least bit shocking to the intended audience.

[richardbrompton]

Jolly Good! were there any "Return of Mr. Punch" Records?

[mic33george]

I love this because its such an unusual thing and makes a very agreeable dance band tune too!So many childrens tunes and nursery rhymes seem to have often surprisingly unsuitable origins!

[85scampi]

Love the cartoon too!!

[kspm01]

A rather freaky song if you ask me. Mr. Lally displayed a pretty peculiar taste in his recording choices!