“I Had But Fifty Cents”
Description
The singer takes a girl to the ball. He thinks, since she is so delicate, that it is safe to take her to a restaurant, even though he has but fifty cents. But she orders a huge meal. The singer, unable to pay, is beaten up by the restaurant staff
Notes
A piece entitled "Fifty Cents," by Billy Mortimer and Dan Lewis, was published in 1881. Paul Stamler has verified that this is the same song. - PJS, RBW
Cross references
- cf. "Bill Morgan and His Gal" (theme)
Recordings
- Binkley Brothers' Dixie Clodhoppers, "When I Had But Fifty Cents" (Victor V-40129, 1929)
- Bill Chitwood & his Georgia Mountaineers, "I Had But Fifteen Cents" (OKeh 45131, 1927)
- Otto Gray & his Cowboy Band, "I Had But Fifty Cents" (Vocalion 5256, c. 1928)
- Jack Golding, "I Had But Fifty Cents" (Champion 16072 [as Jerry Ellis]/Supertone 9711 [as Jack Edwards], 1930)
- Peg Moreland, "When I Had But Fifty Cents" (Victor V-40209, 1930)
- Riley Puckett, "When I Had But Fifty Cents" (Columbia 15015-D, 1925; rec. 1924)
References
- Randolph 485, "I Had But Fifty Cents" (1 text)
- Gilbert, p. 121, "I Had But Fifty Cents" (1 text)
- DT, FIFTYCNT*
- Roud #2798
- BI, R485