What Did Dewey Do To Them? 1898 - A Patriotic Query

by James Pitt-Payne, London UK - 04 Aug 2005

Oh when the war with Spain broke out,
the Spaniards cheered with vim,
when Dewey left Hong Kong to fight
they swore they'd settle him.
But Dewey merely smiled at them
and whispered: "When I'm, through
You'll hear the Spaniards weep and howl,
What didn't Dewey do?

What did Dewey do to them
What did Dewey do.
He did them up so thoroughly
he only left a few.
It wasn't to the Queen's taste
That's a pun and very true
He didn't do a thing to them
What didn't Dewey do?

The Spaniards ran away like curs,
they couldn't fight us Yanks.
Manilla's Govenor General said:
"Come take our town with thanks."
The town's now ours but in old Spain
the very air is blue.
While every organ grinder plays,
What didn't Dewey do?

What did Dewey do to them
What did Dewey do.
He did them up so thoroughly
he only left a few.
It wasn't to the Queen's taste
That's a pun and very true
He didn't do a thing to them
What didn't Dewey do?

The English are amazed at us,
oh they admire our pluck;
they say us Yanks are up to date,
and always play in luck.
It isn't luck, it's Yankee nerve,
that carries us straight through;
and all the world yells out today
What didn't Dewey do?

What did Dewey do to them
What did Dewey do.
He did them up so thoroughly
he only left a few.
It wasn't to the Queen's taste
That's a pun and very true
He didn't do a thing to them
What didn't Dewey do?

In years to come the Spanish Dons
will tell in whispers low;
how Dewey ruined the Spanish fleet
and did it at one blow.
They'll tell their children in the schools
of the Red, White and Blue;
While Cuba's bands will sweetly play,
What didn't Dewey do?

What did Dewey do to them
What did Dewey do.
He did them up so thoroughly
he only left a few.
It wasn't to the Queen's taste
That's a pun and very true
He didn't do a thing to them
What didn't Dewey do?

In all the towns in this broad land,
our flag is waving high;
the finest flag that's ever waved,
beneath a brave blue sky.
And all the foreign nations know,
that we are brave and true.
While every paper headlines it
What didn't Dewey do?

What did Dewey do to them
What did Dewey do.
He did them up so thoroughly
he only left a few.
It wasn't to the Queen's taste
That's a pun and very true
He didn't do a thing to them
What didn't Dewey do?

When this cruel war is over,
and war's black curtain falls;
you will see our grand old banner
wave over Spanish walls.
And poor Cuba's cry for freedom,
will ring out strong and true;
and Uncle Sam will sing and dance,
What didn't Dewey do?

What did Dewey do to them
What did Dewey do.
He did them up so thoroughly
he only left a few.
It wasn't to the Queen's taste
That's a pun and very true
He didn't do a thing to them
What didn't Dewey do?

Soft karaoke
Words
piano 1
piano 2
piano 3
piano 4
lyric
pizz str bass
*
What Did Dewey Do To Them? 1898
A Patriotic Query
Words by R.H. Brennen - Music by Grant W. Barnett
Dedicated With Much Enthusiasm and Respect
to Commodore Geo. Dewey, U.S.N.
© 1898 by The Groene Music Publishing Co., Cincinnati
*
sequence and karaoke by James Pitt-Payne, London UK
on Thursday 04 August 2005 at 19.28
in association with Doug Grierson
*