HELLO! MA BABY
(Ida Emerson / Joseph E. Howard)

Arthur Collins - 1899
Len Spencer - 1899
Al Jolson - 1937
Martha Stewart (feat. in the film "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now") - 1947
Benay Venuta (feat. in the Broadway show "Hazel Flagg") - 1953
Chet Atkins (Instr.) - 1953
The Chordettes - 1953
Bill Roberts (feat. in the cartoon film "One Froggy Evening") - 1955
Del Wood (Instr.) - 1959
Bob Gerry - 1959
Marilyn Powell (feat. in the film "A Big Hand for the Little Lady") - 1966
Wayne Newton - 1968
Ivor & Amelia - 1978
Dick Wellstood (Instr.) - 1987
Miss Dorothy's Roaring 20's Band - 1995
Phish - 1997
Joan Morris &, William Bolcom - 1998
Jesse Gelber & Kate Manning - 2008
Megan Lynch - 2009

Also recorded by:
Lester Lanin & His Orch; Buffalo Bills; The Three Suns; Bing Crosby;
Lou Breese, His Banjo And Orch.; The Happy Harts; The Quartones;
The Andrews Sisters ........... and others.
 




Original 1899 Lyrics:

I'se got a little baby, but she's out of sight
I talk to her across the telephone
I'se never seen my honey, but she's mine all right
So, take my tip an' leave this gal alone

Ev'ry single morning you will hear me yell
"Hey, Central, fix me up along the line"
He connects me with ma honey, then I rings the bell
And this is what I say to baby mine

Hello, ma baby, hello, ma honey
Hello, ma ragtime gal
Send me a kiss by wire
Baby, my hearts on fire

If you refuse me
Honey, you lose me
Then you'll be left alone, oh baby
Telephone and tell me I'se your own

This morning through the telephone
She said her name was Bess
And now I kind of know where I am at
I'se satisfied because I've got my babe's address
Here pasted in the lining of my hat

I am mighty scared, 'cause if the wires get crossed
'Twill seperate me from my baby mine
Then some other coon will win her and my game is lost
And so each day I shout along the line

Hello, ma baby, hello, ma honey
Hello, ma ragtime gal
Send me a kiss by wire
Baby, my hearts on fire

If you refuse me
Honey, you lose me
Then you'll be left alone, oh baby
Telephone and tell me I'se your own


(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - January 2016)