In part because of his expressive phrasing and graceful interpretation, Astaire was chosen to introduce many now-classic songs, including standards by Cole Porter (example, "Night and Day"), his friend Irving Berlin ("Let's Face the Music and Dance"), Jerome Kern ("The Way You Look Tonight"), Johnny Mercer ("One for My Baby") and George and Ira Gershwin ("They Can't Take That Away from Me").
Fred Astaire is interred at Oakwood Memorial Park, Chatsworth, California, USA, the same cemetery where Ginger Rogers, is located. (http://encyclopaediaoftrivia.blogspot.com/2011/09/fred-astaire.html)
Poor Mister Chisholm
Fred Astaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Played on the mandolin
But he couldn't win
Cause he tried to swing
And he broke a string every time
Poor Mr. Chisholm
Just couldn't dig the jive
He arrived by boat every time
He tried to jazz up his mandolin
But never could quite control it
He always brought Bach and Handel in
When it took a lick, he always broke a pick
Poor Mr. Chisholm
You're quite a gay old blade
With your serenade, but you're corny, Jack
Better truck on back to Dubuque
Get a Uke-
You disgrace your kin
On the mandolin every time
The song "Poor Mister Chisholm" by Fred Astaire tells the story of a man named Mr. Chisholm who played the mandolin but failed to achieve success because he couldn't keep up with the current trends. Mr. Chisholm attempted to jazz up his music, but was never quite able to control his instrument, breaking strings and picks in the process. Although he was happy playing his Bach and Handel, he wasn't able to connect with his audience and his efforts to join the swing scene ended in failure.
The lyrics mock Mr. Chisholm for being out of touch and unable to adapt to new styles of music. He is given the suggestion to switch to a ukulele and go home to Dubuque where he belongs. The song reflects the cultural shift taking place in the United States and the growing interest in swing music. It also highlights the challenge of adapting to changes and the risks of being left behind in society.
Line by Line Meaning
Poor Mr. Chisholm
Sympathizing with Mr. Chisholm's haplessness
Played on the mandolin
He played a musical instrument called mandolin
But he couldn't win
He couldn't become successful in playing music
Cause he tried to swing
He attempted to perform a type of music called 'swing'
And he broke a string every time
He lacked the skills to play the mandolin correctly and often broke the strings
Just couldn't dig the jive
He didn't understand the popularity of modern music
When he did arrive at the proper note
When he finally played the right note
He arrived by boat every time
He did it in such an awkward way that it was comparable to an old-fashioned method of transport
He tried to jazz up his mandolin
He attempted to make the mandolin sound more exciting
But never could quite control it
He lacked the expertise to handle his instrument correctly
He always brought Bach and Handel in
He mixed the classical music elements with swing
When it took a lick, he always broke a pick
He used to break his plectrum during the playing of the instrument
You're quite a gay old blade
He is lively and upbeat
With your serenade, but you're corny, Jack
His music is old fashioned and clichéd
Better truck on back to Dubuque
He should move back to his hometown, Dubuque
Get a Uke-
He should switch to a less-complicated instrument called ukulele
You disgrace your kin
He brings shame to his family
On the mandolin every time
He fails to play the mandolin correctly and brings shame to himself every time
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BERNARD D. HANIGHEN, JOHNNY MERCER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jlassie
A rare instance where you see Botkin's name in reference to the accompaniment, but you actually get to HEAR him picking away! Plus some nice swing drumming from Spike Jones, less than a year before the first City Slickers recordings. On one of the other tunes from this same session, 'Me and the Ghost Upstairs', Spike's tuned cowbells are prominently featured for the first time.
Trombonology Erstwhile
Cute! Astaire is superb, as usual, on these typically amusing Johnny Mercer lyrics. String wizard Perry Botkin, best known as one of the finest guitarists of the period, does a bang up job on mandolin here.