AND THE BAND PLAYED ON
John F Palmer  1895  (often wrongly attributed to Charles B Ward)

as rec by Elsie Carlisle & ensemble  1930's


Matt Casey formed a social club
That beat the world for style,
And hired for a meeting place a hall.
When Casey led the first grand march
The rest would fall in line,
Behind the man who was their only all in all, for;

Casey would waltz with a strawberry blonde,
And the band played on.
He'd glide 'cross the floor with the girl he adored,
And the band played on.
But his brain was so loaded it nearly exploded,
The poor girl would shake with alarm.
He'd married the girl with the strawberry curl,
And the band played on.

[ens] Do not trust him, gentle maiden!

Such kissing in the corner ans such whispering in the hall,
And telling tales of love behind the stairs.
As Casey, he was favourite, why he who ran the ball,
Of kissing and lovemaking took his share!

Casey would waltz with a strawberry blond.
He'd glide 'cross the floor with the girl he adored.
But his brain was so loaded it nearly exploded,
The poor girl would shake with alarm.
He'd married the girl with the strawberry curl,
And the band played on.

[ens] He will lead you up the garden!

But his brain was so loaded it nearly exploded,
The poor girl would shake with alarm.
He'd married the girl with the strawberry curl,
And the band played on.



(Transcribed by Peter Akers - September 2012)