“Mademoiselle from Armentieres”

Description

The mademoiselle "hasn't been kissed [or other appropriate verb] for forty years." The soldiers complain about her or cajole her to do their laundry; they complain about their superiors (and their relations with the lady?) and grouse about army life

Notes

Both plot and tune of this song show a relationship with "Snapoo" (indeed, they sometimes mix, and Roud lumps them); it is reasonable to ask which came first and which influenced the other. As both appear at about the same time, however, it is effectively impossible to settle the matter.

Fuld has extensive notes about the origin of this song, with some interesting folkloric twists; the legends, while possible, are not convincing. - RBW

Historical references

• 1914-1918 - First World War, during which this ballad clearly arose

Same tune

• What's Become Of Hinky Dinky Parlez Vous? (What Has Become of Hinky Dinky Parlez Voo?) (Al Bernard & J. Robinson, Cameo 572, 1924; Carl Fenton & his Orch., Brunswick 2618, 1924; Billy Jones, Vocalion 14817, 1924); Billy Jones & Ernest Hare, OKeh 40128, 1924)

Cross references

• cf. "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" (approximate tune)
• cf. "Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ye" (approximate tune)
• cf. "Johnny, Fill Up the Bowl" (approximate tune)
• cf. "Snapoo" (approximate tune; theme)
• cf. "The Little Red Train" (tune)

Recordings

• Benny Bell, "Hinky Dinkey Polly Voo" (Cocktail Party Songs 101, n.d.)
• Bell Record Quartet, "Hinky Dinky Parlez Vous" (Bell 285, 1924 - but it's possible this is Benny Bell's post-WWII recording for his similarly-named label)
• Broadway Quartet, "Hinky Dinky Parlez Vous" (Banner 1382/Regal 9678, 1924)
• Jan Garber & his Orch. "Hinky Dinky Parlay Voo" (Victor 19405, 1924)
• Happiness Boys [Billy Jones & Ernest Hare] "Hinky Dinky Parlay Voo" (Columbia 132-D, 1924)
• Lawrence Loy & Wilbur Waite, "Hinky Dinky Parlez Vous" (Columbia 20638, 1949)
• [Billy] Murray and [Ed] Smalle, "Hinky Dinky Parlay Voo" (Victor 19388, 1924)
• Sweet Violet Boys, "Hinky Dinky Parley Voo, Part 1/Part 2" (Vocalion 03281, 1936; this number was also used for Part 1 only, with the reverse side another song; Part 1 is also on Conqueror 9067, 1938; Columbia 20283/Columbia 37704, 1947. Part 2 was also issued as, "Hinky Dinky Parley Voo #2", Vocalion 03327, 1936; Columbia 20284/Columbia 37705, 1947)

References

1. Randolph-Legman I, pp. 513-515, "Mademoiselle from Armentieres" (3 texts, 1 tune)
2. Sandburg, pp. 440-442, "Hinky Dinky, Parlee-Voo" (1 text, 1 tune)
3. Scott-BoA, pp. 331-333, "Mademoiselle from Armentieres" (2 texts, 1 tune)
4. Lomax-FSUSA 38, "Mademoiselle from Armentieres" (1 text, 1 tune)
5. Lomax-ABFS, pp. 557-560, "Hinky Dinky Parley-Voo?" (1 text, 1 tune)
6. Arnett, pp. 152-153, "Hinky Dinky Parlay-Voo!" (1 text, 1 tune)
7. JHJohnson, pp. 110-111, "Hinky Dinky" (1 text)
8. Silber-FSWB, p. 277, "Mademoiselle from Armentieres" (1 text)
9. Fuld-WFM, pp. 344-345, "Madamoiselle from Armentieres"
10. Roud #4703
11. BI, RL513