NICE PEOPLE
Jack Hylton & His Orch. (vocal: Sid Buckman) - 1939
Flanagan & Allen - 1939
Charlie & His Orch. (vocal: Karl Schwedler) - 1940
As recorded by SID BUCKMAN with JACK HYLTON,
21st January 1939:
If you have a pedigree, mix in high society
You will cultivate a lot of fame
But I know a family, never had a pedigree
But they have a most distinguished name
They call them nice people with nice manners
But got no money at all
They've got such nice habits, they keep rabbits
But got no money at all
Their Father keeps their Mother
Their Mother keeps their Brother
And when they're running short of cash
They borrow from each other
Nice people with nice manners
But got no money at all
(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - November 2012)
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As recorded by BUD FLANAGAN & CHESNEY ALLEN:
(Knocking on door)
BF: Good morning, Sir.
CA: Good morning.
BF: Can I interest you in one of our Rumpo cleaners?
CA: Rumpo cleaners?
BF: Yes Sir.
CA: I'm afraid not. We'd like to have one, but, I'm sorry,
we can't afford it. I'm awfully sorry.
BF: Alright, Sir. Good morning.
CA: Good morning.
(Door closing)
BF: Nice people.
Nice people with nice manners
But got no money at all
They've got such nice habits, they keep rabbits
But got no money at all
Their Father keeps their Mother
Their Mother keeps their Brother
And when they're running short of cash
They borrow from each other
'Cause they're nice people with nice manners
But got no money at all
If you have a pedigree, mix in high society
You will cultivate a lot of fame
But I know a family, never had a pedigree
But they have a most distinguished name
They call them nice people with nice manners
But got no money at all
They've got such nice habits, they keep rabbits
But got no money at all
Their Father keeps their Mother
Their Mother keeps their Brother
And when they're running short of cash
They borrow from each other
'Cause they're nice people with nice manners
But got no money at all
'Cause they're nice people with nice manners
But got no money at all
(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - November 2012)
********************
TRIVIA:
Charlie & His Orchestra were an early 1940's Nazi-sponsored German
propaganda swing band. Jazz music styles were considered rebellious
by the Nazis, but, ironically, propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels
conceived of using the style in radio broadcasts aimed at Great Britain,
Canada and the United States. British listeners could hear the band
every Wednesday and Saturday at around 9 pm.
The purpose of the band was to stir pro-Nazi sympathy, draw attention
to World War II Allied losses, convince listeners that Great Britain was
a pawn for American and Jewish interests, and carry Adolf Hitler's
messages in an entertaining form. The songs stressed how badly the
War was going for the target audience, and how it was only going to be
only a matter of time before they would be beaten.
American swing and popular British songs were initially performed true
to the original, until about the second or third stanza where pro-German
lyrics and monologues would be introduced. The band was led by Lutz
Templin with vocals by Karl "Charlie" Schwedler. They made over 90
recordings between March 1941 and February 1943.
As recorded by CHARLIE & HIS ORCHESTRA:
Nice people with nice manners
But got no money at all
They've got such nice habits, they keep rabbits
But got no money at all
Their father keeps their mother
Their mother keeps their brother
And when they're running short of cash
They borrow from each other
Nice people with nice manners
But got no money at all
(SPOKEN): English youth is strong and healthy and they will give the
Germans a real fight. Especially the upper classes have produced
young fine officers and men, says Churchill. Well, here is a version
which fits perfectly to what the young fine sons of England really are.
Nice people with no manners
Thinking only of money, that's all
They've got such funny habits, they don't like rabbits
A sick and tired generation, that's all
Their fathers sail big shippies
Their mothers buy diamond clippies,
And when they're running short of cash
They're doing their confidence trickies
Nice people with ghastly manners
They've got no sense of duty at all
Nice people with Eton educations
But their brain, just a top hat that's all
They've got such funny habits, they're afraid of rabbits
They think the world is just their servant, that's all
Their fathers give them money
Their mothers think they're a honey
And when they're running short of cash
They're doing something funny
They think they're nice people with very nice manners
But those high-hat guys are no use at all
(Contributed by Mel Priddle - November 2012)
