Mr. Punch in the Arts: The Punch & Judy Polka, 1889

Sheet Music
1889
The Victoria & Albert Museum

What better way to celebrate a marriage than with a polka? And, what better polka than one written in honor of Britain’s most dysfunctional puppet couple? Here, we see the sheet music cover for the “Punch & Judy Polka” by Oscar Barrett.


Our Mr. Punch is pictured here with his blushing bride, Judy, and their baby. Of course, Mr. Punch is poking the baby's head with a stick—but, that’s to be expected. Punch attended the same school of parenting as Homer Simpson.