Daddy Wouldn't Buy Me a Bow Wow

Daddy Wouldn’t Buy Me a Bow Wow was written in 1892 by prolific English songwriter Joseph Tabrar.

Apparently Tabrar was present in an agent's office as an unnamed singer was telling the agent that she was looking for a "really good song". As they continued their discussion Tabrar wrote Daddy Wouldn't Buy Me a Bow Wow in the corner. However when he offered her the song she immediately turned it down, saying it couldn't possibly be any good if he'd written it so quickly! Of course it soon became a huge hit.

The song was first perfomed in 1892 by Vesta Victoria on the stage of the South London Palace (known as the 'Sarf' by the locals in their Cockney accent), when she appeared on stage with a kitten hidden in a basket of flowers. The same year it was recorded by Silas Leachman, and in 1895 Toulouse-Lautrec painted May Belfort singing it.

The song featured in the 1934 musical movie Evergreen, sung by Jessie Matthews, and was also revived after World War II.

Music Hall was well known for its double entendres, and it has been suggested that the references to a cat may not be as innocent as it may appear.

On CD

A version of Vesta singing the song can be found on the CD 60 Old-Time Variety Songs (ISBN 0-86175-008-X)

It also appears on the Ultimate Pub Sing-A-Long Album

Lyrics

I love my little cat, I do

With soft black silky hair

It comes with me each day to school

And sits upon the chair

When teacher says "why do you bring

That little pet of yours?"

I tell her that I bring my cat

Along with me because

Daddy wouldn't buy me a bow-wow! bow wow!

Daddy wouldn't buy me a bow-wow! bow wow!

I've got a little cat

And I'm very fond of that

But I'd rather have a bow-wow

Wow, wow, wow, wow

We used to have two tiny dogs

Such pretty little dears

But daddy sold 'em 'cause they used

To bite each other's ears

I cried all day, at eight each night

Papa sent me to bed

When Ma came home and wiped my eyes

I cried again and said

Daddy wouldn't buy me a bow-wow! bow wow!

Daddy wouldn't buy me a bow-wow! bow wow!

I've got a little cat

And I'm very fond of that

But I'd rather have a bow-wow

Wow, wow, wow, wow

I'll be so glad when I get old

To do just as I "likes"

I'll keep a parrot and at least

A half a dozen tykes

And when I've got a tiny pet

I'll kiss the little thing

Then put it in its little cot

And on to it I'll sing

Daddy wouldn't buy me a bow-wow! bow wow!

Daddy wouldn't buy me a bow-wow! bow wow!

I've got a little cat

And I'm very fond of that

But I'd rather have a bow-wow

Wow, wow, wow, wow

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