Rose Murphy was known as “the chee chee girl” thanks to her habit of regularly singing the phrase “chee chee” in many of her numbers. She began her musical career in the late 1930’s, playing intermission piano for such performers as Count Basie, and achieved strong popularity in both the US and UK in the late 1940’s. Despite being a very talented pianist, she is best known for her high pitched singing style, which incorporated a range of jazz style ad lib scat, giggling, and percussive sound effects. ‘Busy Line’, one of her most well known songs, made use of perhaps her most famous vocal sound effect: the ‘brrp, brrrp’ of a telephone ring. A version of the song was later used in 1990 by BT (British Telecom) in one of their television adverts. The advert was such a success that RCA reissued Rose’s original recording of the song.
From the fifties to the 80s, Rose continued to play at “many of the top clubs of New York, like the Cookery, Michael’s Pub, Upstairs At the Downstairs, and was “usually accompanied by bassist Slam Stewart or Morris Edwards.” These were interspersed with engagements in London and tours of the Continent. During a two week engagement at Hollywood Roosevelts Cinegrill in June 1989, she became ill and returned to New York City.
She was 78 when she died, and, though married 4 times, left no direct descendants.
(2) Rose Murphy, the captivating fiddle and accordion player, was born in 1900 into an intensely musical family in Milltown, County Galway. She spent much of her adult life living around Rotherham in South Yorkshire U.K., and was 76 years young when she recorded the album that delightfully recaptures the dancing repertoire styles of her youth in the West of Ireland.
Cecilia
Rose Murphy Lyrics
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Little over sweet sixteen
But the cutest flapper that you've ever seen
When the fellows pass her by
She will always wink her eye
When she talks to them
When she walks with them
This is what they'll cry
Does your mother know you're out Cecilia?
Does she know that I'm about to steal you?
Oh my when I look in your eyes
Something tells me you and I should get together
How bout a little kiss Cecilia
Just a kiss you'll never miss Cecilia
Why do we two keep on wasting time?
Oh Cecilia
Say that you'll be mine
Many funny things occur
While the boys are courting her
I refer to one case in particular
She went with a boy named Joe
Who was always lisping so
When he'd ask this miss
For a little kiss it would sound just like this
Doeth your mother know you're out The-thiel-yuh
Doeth thee know that I'm about to thteal "yuh"
Oh my when I look in your eyth
I feel very you know tho un-neth-the-tha-ry
How about a little kiss The-thiel-yuh
Jutht a kith you'll never mith The-thiel-yuh
Why do we two keep on wathting time?
Oh The-thiel-yuh
Thay that you'll be mine
Mine How about a little kith, the thiel yuh
Jutht a kith you'll never mith, the thiel yuh.
Why do we two keep on wathing time
Oh, the theil yuh
In the song "Cecilia" by Rose Murphy, the lyrics tell the story of a young woman named Cecilia Green who is described as a flapper and just over sweet sixteen. When men see her, they are entranced, and they often ask her out on dates, much to the chagrin of her mother. The lyrics, sung from the perspective of one of these admirers, express his desire to be with Cecilia, asking if her mother knows she's out and if she will be his.
The lyrics also include a humorous anecdote about a boy named Joe who had a lisp and would ask Cecilia for a kiss, but it would sound like "Doeth your mother know you're out The-thiel-yuh? Doeth thee know that I'm about to thteal 'yuh'?" This shows the playful nature of the song and the young love that's being described.
Overall, "Cecilia" is a lighthearted and sweet song about the excitement and innocence of young love, with a catchy and charming melody that perfectly complements the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Little Miss Cecilia Green
This is the introduction of the main character, Cecelia, and the fact that she is young and probably inexperienced in life.
Little over sweet sixteen
Cecilia is just slightly over the age of 16 years old.
But the cutest flapper that you've ever seen
Despite her young age, Cecilia is very attractive and charming.
When the fellows pass her by
Men are attracted to Cecilia and notice her when she is around.
She will always wink her eye
Cecilia flirts with men by winking at them.
When she talks to them
When Cecilia converses with men, she is probably quite charming and flirtatious.
When she walks with them
When Cecilia walks with men, they probably feel very lucky to be in her company.
This is what they'll cry
The men can't resist Cecilia's charms and they will probably express their admiration for her in some way.
Does your mother know you're out Cecilia?
A man is asking Cecilia if her mother knows she is out, likely indicating concern for her wellbeing and safety.
Does she know that I'm about to steal you?
The man admits his attraction to Cecilia and his intentions to pursue a romantic relationship with her.
Oh my when I look in your eyes
The man is fascinated and drawn in by Cecilia's eyes.
Something tells me you and I should get together
Despite not knowing each other well, the man feels a strong connection with Cecilia and believes they should be together.
How bout a little kiss Cecilia
The man is asking for a kiss from Cecilia.
Just a kiss you'll never miss Cecilia
The man is assuring Cecilia that kissing him will be a memorable and enjoyable experience.
Why do we two keep on wasting time?
The man is eager to start a relationship with Cecilia and wants to move things along quickly.
Oh Cecilia
The man addresses Cecilia directly, likely conveying his strong feelings for her.
Say that you'll be mine
The man is asking for a commitment from Cecilia to be in a relationship with him.
Many funny things occur
There are likely many entertaining moments when men try to pursue Cecilia.
While the boys are courting her
Men are trying to woo Cecilia and win her affections.
I refer to one case in particular
The singer is about to tell a story about a specific incident involving Cecilia and a man named Joe.
She went with a boy named Joe
Cecilia was in a relationship or seeing a man named Joe.
Who was always lisping so
Joe had a speech impediment that made him pronounce words differently.
When he'd ask this miss
When Joe would ask Cecilia for something (likely a kiss),
For a little kiss it would sound just like this
Because of his lisp, when Joe asked for a kiss he sounded unique and memorable.
Doeth your mother know you're out The-thiel-yuh
The way Joe pronounced Cecilia's name due to his speech impediment.
Doeth thee know that I'm about to thteal "yuh
Joe is being playful with his words and admitting to wanting to steal a kiss from Cecilia.
Oh my when I look in your eyth
Joe is again drawn in by something attractive about Cecilia (in this case, her eyes).
I feel very you know tho un-neth-the-tha-ry
Joe is trying to express his feelings for Cecilia, but his lisp makes it difficult to articulate clearly.
Thay that you'll be mine
Joe is asking Cecilia to commit to being in a relationship with him.
Mine How about a little kith, the thiel yuh
Joe is again asking for a kiss from Cecilia, but playfully using her name with his lisp.
Jutht a kith you'll never mith, the thiel yuh.
Joe is assuring Cecilia that kissing him will be a memorable and enjoyable experience, even with his lisp.
Why do we two keep on wathing time
Joe is expressing impatience and eagerness to begin a relationship with Cecilia.
Oh, the theil yuh
Joe addresses Cecilia directly using her name.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DREYER, RUBY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind