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MMD > Archives > July 2000 > 2000.07.14 > 06Prev  Next


Mystery Tune - "Streets of Cairo"
By Karl Petersen

The verse shown refers to a tune published as "The Streets of Cairo or
The Poor Little Country Maid", copyright 1895 by James Thornton, which
has a rich history of confusion and parody.

In my childhood the children sang, "There's a place in France where
the ladies wear no pants" to the tune, and that is to what your bit
refers.  I have no idea what fevered brain composed your lines,
however.  For the history and an audio clip see:

  http://www.gildedserpent.com/articles3/streets-of-cairo.htm

Karl Petersen
Washington, Illinois

 [ Good work, Karl.  The Gilded Serpent web page says that the song
 [ was performed at the Chicago World's Columbian Exposition of
 [ 1893.  Here is a short quote:  "One of its attractions, called
 [ Streets Of Cairo, included the famous dancer Little Egypt, snake
 [ charmers, camel rides, and other exciting things to entertain
 [ turn-of-the-century fair-goers. ... It was the performance of Little
 [ Egypt that brought the "hoochy koochy" dance into the North America
 [ entertainment world."
 [
 [ The sheet music of "Streets of Cairo", by James Thornton, may be
 [ viewed and downloaded at the "Lester S. Levy Collection of Sheet
 [ Music" at http://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu/advancedsearch.html
 [ -- Robbie


(Message sent Fri 14 Jul 2000, 12:55:28 GMT, from time zone GMT-0600.)

Key Words in Subject:  Cairo, Mystery, Streets, Tune

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