At the Music Hall: Down at the Old Bull and Bush

The Old Bull and Bush, watercolor
Martin Goode

Come, come, come and make eyes at me

down at the Old Bull and Bush,

Laa la la la la... 

The Old Bull and Bush is a public house (pub) in Hampstead London.  A house has existed on that site since the late Seventeenth Century.  In 1721, the establishment was granted a license to sell liquor.  The Old Bull and Bush became a popular pub.  By, the 1800’s the pub was a favorite hang-out of cockneys.  Singer Florrie Forde (1875-1940) popularized a song about the joyous nature of the pub.  Down at the Old Bull and Bush became a worldwide favorite and is still a beloved pub song to this day.  For your listening pleasure, here is Miss Forde herself singing a 1930’s-era version of her popular song.