Dardanella
For the theatre company, see Dardanella (theatre company).
| "Dardenella" | |
|---|---|
 Cover, sheet music, 1919 | |
| Song | |
| Published | 1919 |
| Form | Blues |
| Writer | Felix Bernard/Johnny S. Black |
| Lyricist | Fred Fisher |
| Language | English |
"Dardanella" is a popular song published in 1919 by Fred Fisher, who wrote the lyrics for the music written by Felix Bernard and Johnny S. Black. Band conductor Ben Selvin (1898–1980) led into the 1920s with his hit instrumental version of Dardanella. The song held the No. 1 spot on the U.S. charts for 13 weeks, and sold a seemingly incredible five million copies.[1]
Its chorus is:
- Oh sweet Dardanella
- I love your harem eyes.
- I'm a lucky fellow
- To capture such a prize.
- Oh Allah knows, my love for you
- And he tells you to be true
- Dardanella,Oh hear my sigh,
- My Oriental,
- Oh sweet Dardanella
- Prepare the wedding wine,
- There'll be one girl in my harem
- When you're mine.
- We'll build a tent
- Just like the children
- Of the Orient,
- Oh, sweet Dardanella
- My star of love divine![2]
References
Bibliography
- Fisher, Fred (w.); Felix Bernard/Johnny S. Black (m). "Dardanella" (Sheet Music). New York: McCarthy & Fisher (1919).
External links
- "Dardanella", 1920 version by Gladys Rice and Vernon Dalhart at the Internet Archive
- "Dardanella" (instrumental), Selvin's Novelty Orchestra (Victor 18633, 1919) at the Internet Archive.