A harem song from 1911
Words by E. T. Southern.
Music by Agatha Cummings Southern.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- I wonder what Adam, the first man, would say
If he were transplanted to earth
And view’d mother Eve in a late harem gown
Would his vision cause sorrow or mirth?
Would he rum’age around, until he had found
An old dress of her’s made of leaves?
Would he quietly say? “Take those things away”
“Temptation the serpent still weaves”
Would it cause him to swear, and pull out his hair?
Would he forbid her to wear ’em?
Could he survive if he were alive
The change from the figleaf to harem?
Chorus
The harem! the harem!
Don’t be afraid that you’ll tear ’em
You can walk at your ease even bending your knees
Or do a high kick in the harem
The harem! Scare ’em!
Any woman can wear ’em
You’ll never be vexed as soon as you’re next
And use to wearing the harem
- If you’re doing a stunt on the vaudeville stage
And would like to invent a new turn
Just represent Eve in her first summer gown,
And no matter what salary you earn,
You’ll soon get a raise, and the manager’s praise,
A head-liner quickly you’ll be
So, advertise right, and say every night
A wonderful change they will see
You’ll advocate style, wear a figleaf awhile
To wear one just like it you’ll dare ’em
Say you’ll surprise, you’ll open their eyes
When you change from the figleaf to harem
Sung here by Vancha March: