View source for Daddy Wouldn't Buy Me a Bow Wow

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{{short description|Song}}
[[Image:vesta-victoria-bow-wow.jpg|thumb|right|[[Sheet music]] cover from 1892]]
"'''Daddy Wouldn’t Buy Me a Bow Wow'''" is a song written in 1892 by prolific English songwriter [[Joseph Tabrar]].

It was written for, and first performed in 1892 by, [[Vesta Victoria]] at the [[South London Palace]], holding a kitten.<ref>Cullen, Frank Cullen, Florence Hackman, Donald McNeilly. [https://books.google.com/books?id=XFnfnKg6BcAC&dq=%22Daddy+wouldn't+buy+me+a+bow-wow%22+%22Joseph+Tabrar%22+%22music+hall%22&pg=PA1159 ''Vaudeville, old and new''], vol. 1, p. 1159, Routledge, 2007 {{ISBN|0-415-93853-8}}</ref> The same year it was recorded by [[Silas Leachman]] for the North American Phonograph Co. of Chicago (Talking Machine Company of Chicago/Chicago Talking Machine). In 1895 [[Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec|Toulouse-Lautrec]] painted [[May Belfort]] singing it.  The comedian [[Arthur Roberts (comedian)|Arthur Roberts]] also had success in the 1890s with the song.<ref>Kelly, Linda. [http://aboutcards.blogspot.com/2008/08/pantomime-dame-and-music-hall.html "Pantomime Dame and Music Hall Caricature Postcards"]. About Postcards, accessed 9 August 2010</ref>

The song featured in the 1934 musical movie ''[[Evergreen (film)|Evergreen]]'', sung by [[Jessie Matthews]], and was also revived after [[World War II]].

The chorus was sung by [[Helen Mirren]] and [[Peter Sellers]] in the 1980 movie ''[[The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu]]''. It is also the tune [[Sarah Jane Smith]] whistles when she leaves the Doctor at the end of the ''[[Doctor Who]]'' episode "The Hand of Fear". It is sung by the ''[[EastEnders]]'' cast, led by [[Anna Wing]] ([[Lou Beale]], as part of the ''1985 EastEnders Sing Along''. In the first episode of the 1983 [[BBC]] series ''[[Reilly, Ace of Spies]]'', one of [[Sidney Reilly]]'s mistresses performs a [[striptease]] to a [[phonograph]] recording of the song.

==On CD==
*A version of Vesta Victoria singing the song can be found on the CD ''60 Old-Time Variety Songs'' {{ISBN|0-86175-008-X}}
*It also appears on the ''Ultimate [[Pub song|Pub Sing-A-Long]] Album''

==Lyrics==
I love my little cat, I do<br>
His coat is oh so warm.<br>
It comes with me each day to school<br>
And sits upon the chair<br>
When teacher says "why do you bring<br>
That little pet of yours?"<br>
I tell her that I bring my cat<br>
Along with me because

Daddy wouldn't buy me a [[dog|bow-wow]]! bow wow!<br>
Daddy wouldn't buy me a bow-wow! bow wow!<br>
I've got a little cat<br>
And I'm very fond of that<br>
But I'd rather have a bow-wow<br>
Wow, wow, wow, wow

We used to have two tiny dogs<br>
Such pretty little dears<br>
But daddy sold 'em 'cause they used<br>
To bite each other's ears<br>
I cried all day, at eight each night<br>
Papa sent me to bed<br>
When Ma came home and wiped my eyes<br>
I cried again and said

Daddy wouldn't buy me a bow-wow! bow wow!<br>
Daddy wouldn't buy me a bow-wow! bow wow!<br>
I've got a little cat<br>
And I'm very fond of that<br>
But I'd rather have a bow-wow<br>
Wow, wow, wow, wow

I'll be so glad when I get old<br>
To do just as I "likes"<br>
I'll keep a parrot and at least<br>
A half a dozen [[Tyke (dog)|tykes]]<br>
And when I've got a tiny pet<br>
I'll kiss the little thing<br>
Then put it in its little cot<br>
And on to it I'll sing

Daddy wouldn't buy me a bow-wow! bow wow!<br>
Daddy wouldn't buy me a bow-wow! bow wow!<br>
I've got a little cat<br>
And I'm very fond of that<br>
But I'd rather have a bow-wow<br>
Wow, wow, wow, wow

==References==
{{Reflist}}

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[[Category:Songs about fathers]]
[[Category:Songs about dogs]]
[[Category:Songs about cats]]
[[Category:1892 songs]]
[[Category:British songs]]