“Little Old Dudeen”

Description

If not for Walter Raleigh "I wouldn't be smoking my old dudeen." The singer smokes to keep peace when his wife grumbles. At his wake there'll be poteen but "into me gob, so help me bob, you'll find me old dudeen"

Supplemental text

Little Old Dudeen
  Partial text(s)

          *** A ***

From Kenneth Peacock, Songs of the Newfoundland Outports, Volume II,
pp. 377-378. Sung by Mike Kent, Cape Broyle, July 1951.

It's of Sir Walter Raleigh, I think that was his name,
He first brought over tobacco, from Americay he came.
He might have been a jinker it's plainly to be seen,
And if it weren't for him I wouldn't be smoking my old dudeen.
  My dudeen, my dudeen, you are so dear to me,
  I love to sit and smoke 'er up when I am through my tea.
  In dry or rainy weather my friend you'll always be,
  And 'pon me word I'll never never part with my old dudeen.

(Three additional stanzas plus a half-stanzas)

Notes

Library of Congress American Memory 19th century song sheets collection as "Little Old Dudeen": Words Ed Harrigan, Music John Braham, pub Boston 1875.

Harrigan and Hart famous vaudeville team per The Big Bands Database Plus site entry for David Braham.

See The Black Dudeen by Robert Service for one [use of the] phrase "tucked in me gub, me old dudeen." - BS

For background on Harrigan and Braham, see the notes to "Babies on Our Block." - RBW

Historical references

• 1554-1618 - Life of Sir Walter Raleigh, credited in the song with bringing tobacco to Europe (in fact it was first introduced to Europe by Columbus, and cultivated in Iberia; the first American tobacco plantation was founded by John Rolfe)

References

1. Peacock, pp. 377-378, "My Old Dudeen" (1 text, 1 tune)
2. ST Pea337 (Partial)
3. Roud #9787
4. BI, Pea337