Burlington Bertie from Bow - Ella Shields

Ella Shields (1879 - 1952) an American born male impersonater. Made her greatest success as a music hall star in England. Burlington Bertie was her signature tune. Rumour has it that the line 'The Prince of Wales brother along with some other' referst to Jack the Ripper. In fact that has no basis in reality at all.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Ella
• shields
• music
• hall

[kenrfc]

Wowie!

I only knew this song from "Star" with Julie Andrews. I knew there was an original but never gave another thought to it. This new info about Ella Shields is going to touch off a looonng night on Google and Wikipedia...and probably Youtube.

Thanks Hawkmoon

[hawkmoon03111951]

My pleasure. Hope you had a fun night.

[Teddyb1939]

Whatever the history of this song is, this is pure magic. lovely stuff!

[latevictorian]

The 'Smith' mentioned in Burlington Bertie was the celebrated barrister and wit F.E. Smith, later Lord Birkenhead (1872-1930) Sorry to be so late in posting.

[MartaBtrp]

Good!

:))))

In my book: Music by William Hargreaves

[MartaBtrp]

Good!

:))))

In my book: Music by Alfred Lee

[MartaBtrp]

Good!

:))))

[goforthjr]

One must reference Julie Andrews' version in Star when writing about this song. I'm just sayin'....

[MJJCashman]

First time I heard this song was on a TV showing of "Mother Wore Tights" sung by Dan Daily then Bette Grable sang in in male drag. When I directed my first show in college, An Evening of British Music Hall, I had an Ella Shields in the show singing this. Love this song.

[hawkmoon03111951]

@racingrubberbiker Vesta Tilley sang 'Burlington Bertie' written by Harry Norris. This is 'Burlington Bertie from Bow'. It was a parody of the original. Mentioning late Victorian personalities only means that it had to be written at the time, or later than the time.

This is all my fault for throwing in a comment about 'Jack the Ripper' that I have heard told since I was a child. Still it has provoked some interest.

[talmadge1926]

@racingrubberbiker No Hawkmoon is correct. There was an earlier song performed by Vesta Tilley in 1900 called "Burlington Bertie" According to Wikepedia "Burlington Bertie from Bow" (composed 1915) was a spoof on the earlier song. I do agree with you that many the personage references are from an earlier age with one glaring exception - that being Lady Diana .(Cooper). I suppose the audience of the time found this quite acceptable as it was their near past. For us it is just plain confusing!

[racingrubberbiker]

@talmadge1926 See my reply to Hhawkmoon. I am sure the song was written before Victoria died (1901) - she must be "mother"