From the 1910 musical “King of Cadonia”.
Words by M. E. Rourke.
Music by Jerome D. Kern.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. When I became a lady
By marrying my Prince
The entertainments that I gave
Made all my family wince
I want to make more noise
Though on coronation day
I think I’ll hire a band
My dears that seems the proper way
Yes, let us greet our gracious king
If back he ever comes
The Blue Bulgarian Band will play
“God Save the King” on drums
REFRAIN
Oh the Blue Bulgarian Band
There is nothing quite so grand
Big Bassoon and little Oboe
Clarinet and Piccolo
Start you on the go
First you feel it in your feet
Then your heart begins to beat
When the little side drum goes rum-i-ti-tum
And the big Bass drum goes, boom
In the Blue Bulgarian Band
2. Once more I’m in the circus
When music strikes my ears
All life’s a circus where the clowns
Are married men, my dears
Again I’m on the tight-rope
With men upon my string
We’ll play that on the Violins
That seems the proper thing
The Blue Bulgarian Band will greet
Our good king if he comes
And play for him
A “Hot time in the old town” on the drums