WHO PAID THE RENT FOR MRS. RIP VAN WINKLE?
(Music: Fred Fischer / Lyrics: Alfred Bryan)

Al Jolson (feat. in the show "The Honeymoon Express") - 1914
Sam Bernard (feat. in the show "The Belle Of Bond Street") - 1914
Billy Watkins - 1914
Al Jolson (feat. in the film "Mammy") - 1930
Jack Pearl - 1932
Mart Britt & His Orch. - 1932
Al Jolson (feat. in the film "The Jolson Story") - 1946
Bing Crosby & Al Jolson - 1947
Fred Hellerman - 2005

Also recorded by:
Laura Guerite; Sophie Tucker; Ella Retford; Stephen Carter Hicks.



Oh, oh, many years ago
Lived the wife of happy Rip Van Winkle
Oh, oh, she sent him away
As the little stars began to twinkle
All that he had he had under his hat
She was glad to see him go
So over the hills he went
Left her without a cent
One thing I'm anxious to know....

Who paid the rent for Mrs. Rip Van Winkle
When Rip Van Winkle went away?
And though he slept for twenty years
Who was it kissed away her tears?

She had no friends in the place
No one to embrace
But the landlord always left her with a smile on his face
Oh, who paid the rent for Mrs. Rip Van Winkle
When Rip Van Winkle went away?

C'mon, tell me!

Who paid the rent for Mrs. Rip Van Winkle
When Rip Van Winkle went away?
And though he slept for twenty years
Who was it kissed away her tears?

She never married again
She was lonesome but then
You'll always find a rooster
Lookin' round for a hen

Who paid the rent for Mrs. Rip Van Winkle
When Rip Van Winkle went away?