At the Music Hall: “Hold Your Hand Out, Naughty Boy” by C.W. Murphy

Hold your hand out, naughty boy.
Hold your hand out, naughty boy.
Last night, in the pale moonlight,
I saw you, I saw you;
With a nice girl in the park,
You were strolling full of joy,
And you told her you'd never kissed a girl before:
Hold your hand out, naughty boy.

Much as she popularized songs such as Down at the Old Bull and Bush, music hall singer, Florrie Forde made Hold Your Hand Out, Naughty Boy into a public hit. This rousing song about the silliness of men where women are concerned, was perfectly suited to Miss Forde’s flirty style. Enjoy this recording of Miss Forde singing this cheerful song.

At the Music Hall: Goodbye Dolly Gray, 1898

I have come to say goodbye, Dolly Gray,
It's no use to ask me why, Dolly Gray,
There's a murmur in the air, you can hear it everywhere,
It's the time to do and dare, Dolly Gray.

So if you hear the sound of feet, Dolly Gray,
Sounding through the village street, Dolly Gray,
It's the tramp of soldiers' true in their uniforms so blue,
I must say goodbye to you, Dolly Gray.

Goodbye Dolly I must leave you, though it breaks my heart to go,
Something tells me I am needed at the front to fight the foe,
See - the boys in blue are marching and I can no longer stay,
Hark - I hear the bugle calling, goodbye Dolly Gray.


Written by Will D. Cobb (lyrics) and Paul Barnes (music), this sentimental ballad became popular in the U.S. in 1898 during the Spanish-American War. Later, it became a favorite in England in 1900 during the Boer War.

A favorite of Sir Noel Coward, the song was used in his stage play, Cavalcade and has, since, been featured on the sound tracks of many films. Enjoy this rendition by Music Hall Queen, Florrie Forde.

At the Music Hall: Take Me Back to Dear Old Blighty

Florrie Forde

Take me back to dear old Blighty!
Put me on the train for London town!
Take me over there,
Drop me anywhere,
Liverpool, Leeds, or Birmingham, well, I don't care!

I should love to see my best girl,
Cuddling up again we soon should be,
WHOA!!!

Tiddley iddley ighty,
Hurry me home to Blighty,
Blighty is the place for me!


The term “Blighty” became a sentimental nickname for England, especially during the first World War. “Blighty” is actually derived from a Hindustani word meaning “foreigner” and was used in India to refer to typically British people and things. The term was adopted by the English in India, and later in other parts of the world, to fondly recall their country of origin.

During the first World War, the song, Take Me Back to Dear Old Blighty became a popular favorite. It summed up the feelings of soldiers stationed away from home who often hoped for a “blighty wound”—one which was serious enough to be sent home, but not so serious as to be life-threatening.

To this day, “Blighty” continues to be used to fondly refer to England, and Take Me Back to Dear Old Blighty remains a sentimental favorite. Here’s a version as sung by popular World War I singer, Florrie Forde.

At the Music Hall: “Hold Your Hand Out, Naughty Boy” by C.W. Murphy

Hold your hand out, naughty boy.
Hold your hand out, naughty boy.
Last night, in the pale moonlight,
I saw you, I saw you;
With a nice girl in the park,
You were strolling full of joy,
And you told her you'd never kissed a girl before:
Hold your hand out, naughty boy.

Much as she popularized songs such as Down at the Old Bull and Bush, music hall singer, Florrie Forde made Hold Your Hand Out, Naughty Boy into a public hit. This rousing song about the silliness of men where women are concerned, was perfectly suited to Miss Forde’s flirty style. Enjoy this recording of Miss Forde singing this cheerful song.