BPOE sung by Nat M. Wills - Victor II Talking Machine 1908

Here is Actor and Vaudeville Star Nat M. Wills (1873-1917) singing BPOE on a Victor one sided Grand Prize 10" 78rpm Record from late 1908. A master of Satire, Wills tells the satirical story here of his initiation and subsequent experiences with the "Best People on Earth" the BPOE (The Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks!! Wills entertained delighted Audiences for many years with his own unique brand of singing these kinds of songs, until his tragic accidental death in 1917. The gramophone is a Victor type II Talking Machine from about 1905. Some of the history of the BPOE initiation ceremony alluded by Wills in this song with tongue in cheek humor, can by found in various BPOE History sites on the Internet. One states as follows: Early candidates found that a physician's certificate of examination was necessary as a part of the joining process, and the male prospect had to be in top condition to even be considered. Then, once the candidate had met that criteria and was in the Lodge room, he was blindfolded, and instead of dimmed lights and beautiful words, he was subjected to much horseplay. The minutes of the Ashland Lodge No. 384 describe in detail of their candidates wearing shoes with lead soles designed to make the wearer walk as though intoxicated.

The old Ritual Book spells out other trickery, with members agreeing with the Exalted Ruler's declaration that the candidates be "shaved." Once this decision was made, a "City Barber" appeared to the blindfolded candidates whereupon, with a dull file simulating a straight razor, he literally scraped the faces of the men to "shave" them. A few other jokes, all of which were contained in the Ritual Book, described each ordeal in great detail, such as "walking on broken glass," actually egg shells, and it even mentioned how to end the "horseplay" session with real guns, loaded with blanks, being fired off behind the now-weary and very confused new members.

Category:

Comedy

Tags:

• BPOE
• Victor Record
• 78rpm
• Nat M. Wills

[jaclyncourtney]

Great Song I like to get the lyrics is it possible

[victrolaman]

Yes indeed, I just put them up on the Video, Enjoy!!

Victrolaman

[msheldon22]

Thanks for sending message regarding this Wonderful Elks song !! It compliments them for all the good they do .

[victrolaman]

You are very welcome. I especially like the part where Wills says: "A young brother Elk by the name of McCarthy, he ran off with my wife. There was no need to run, for when he took her from me, he was my friend for Life". Funny Stuff.

[MissPickletoes]

Another great song shared with us. Thanks!

[victrolaman]

You are entirely welcome Miss Pickletoes, it is great to share this great song of comic satire by Nat M. Wills. It gives me a chance to introduce these great performers of long ago to brand new audience who has never heard them.

[kingsaamir]

I.B.P.O.E OF W....

[avermillion]

B.P.O.E. - Truly, the Best People On Earth!!!!Thanks so much for posting and sharing.

[theeconomy3]

Lots of "secret" groups act entitled like this. "I belong to group-x ergo, I'm a better person. I'd help you but you're not a member too." Thanks for exposing these frauds Nat.

[Tenega2]

There's more. "One night in Poughkeepsie I got kind of tipsy from drinking too much wine. As I walked down the street I chanced for to meet two brother Elks of mine. They offered to take me back home to my wife, but they were sober and she'd raise a fuss. So they offered instead to let me get them drunk. They said: 'You will have nothing on us.'" (chorus) "They drank all they could. Then they handed the bill to me. They said: 'You are our brother, so buy us another for BPOE.'"

[unclejuniorsoprano]

Nat M. Wills' stories & monologues were so witty & laugh-compelling that there is no wonder why he became an icon on the American stage during his short lifetime. He had a voice created for recording. It was so powerful & resonant. He was truly one of a kind.

[mtosmundsen]

I really want a gramophone