Edison Diamond Disc - A Submarine Attack

Edison Diamond Disc number 50490-L, performed by the Premier Quartet and Company (Donald Chalmers, Helen Clark, Edward Meeker, Billy Murray, Steve Porter, and John Young). Recorded 21 March 1918, this disc is played on a 1916 C-250 Edison Diamond Disc phonograph.

The lyrics are as follows:

A jolly bunch of tars are we,
We love to sail the deep blue sea,
And sing (and sing, and sing) so merrily (so merrily).
A sailor's life is so full of joy,
And all the girlies love sailor boys,
That's why (that's why) the reason why (the reason why),
We love to sail the deep blue sea.

All's well! All's well!

Oh, Captain, is the transport in the danger zone yet?
Yes, but while it's more dangerous right here there's danger everywhere on the sea. But don't worry; you Red Cross girls would be the first to be taken care of.
Oh, we're not worrying any more than the boys are.

We're on our way across the foam,
To fight for those we left at home sweet home,
Are we downhearted? No, no, no!
We're doggone glad that we can go.

Say, that's a pretty good song.
But I can sing a better one!
Who are you?
My name's Hicky Hank and I used to sing soprani in our village choir!
Ha...
Well, go ahead and show the boys up, Hank.
Well, I'll be darned if I don't!

I'm Hicky Hank, He's Hicky Hank,
I'm Hicky Hank, He's Hicky Hank,
I'm glad I left the farm to be an A-One fighting man,
I'll come back some day in a Captain's cap,
And I'll take my best gal on my lap,
Lotsa kisses, make her Mrs.,
I'm Hicky, Hicky, Hicky Hank! By Heck!

Ha...
You're all right, Hank. Some singer!
What does he do aboard?
Who, Hank? Why he's a gunner.

Periscope, dead ahead
Pipe all hands to quarters!

A torpedo, Captain, on the starboard bow,
Take a zigzag course. Full speed ahead.
Aye, aye, sir.
(Rumble)
Gosh we missed it by twenty feet.
When you get the range, fire!
Aye, Aye, Sir!
A little short. Try again!
Fire yet!
The u-boat's gone under, we must have hit her.
She's coming up astern!
Fire!
A direct hit.
She's blown to pieces!
Yay! ...
Where's the man that fired that shot?
Here I be, Captain, I'm the feller, Hicky Hank from old Yaphank.
Yes, indeed some boy.

We're on our way across the foam,
To fight for those we left at home sweet home,
Are we downhearted? No, no, no!
We're doggone glad that we can go.

A jolly bunch of tars are we,
We love to sail the deep blue sea,
And sing (and sing, and sing) so merrily (so merrily).
A sailor's life is so full of joy,
And all the girlies love sailor boys,
That's why (that's why) the reason why (the reason why),
We love to sail the deep blue sea.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Edison
• Diamond
• Disc
• Phonograph
• Submarine
• Attack
• World
• War
• Billy
• Murray

[Nelsteve101]

I used to listen to this very recording at my grandparents' home. After they passed, I thought I would never hear it again.

[DIYPhonophile]

Beautiful dd--thanks