Daddy Wouldn't Buy Me a Bow Wow

"Daddy Wouldn’t Buy Me a Bow Wow" is a song written in 1892 by prolific English songwriter Joseph Tabrar.

It was written for, and first performed in 1892 by, Vesta Victoria at the South London Palace, holding a kitten. The same year it was recorded by Silas Leachman for the North American Phonograph Co. of Chicago (Talking Machine Company of Chicago/Chicago Talking Machine). In 1895 Toulouse-Lautrec painted May Belfort singing it. The comedian Arthur Roberts also had success in the 1890s with the song.

The song featured in the 1934 musical movie Evergreen, sung by Jessie Matthews, and was also revived after World War II.

The chorus was sung by Helen Mirren and Peter Sellers in the 1980 movie The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu. It is also the tune Sarah Jane Smith whistles when she leaves the Doctor at the end of the Doctor Who episode "The Hand of Fear". It is sung by the EastEnders cast, led by Anna Wing (Lou Beale, as part of the 1985 EastEnders Sing Along. In the first episode of the 1983 BBC series Reilly, Ace of Spies, one of Sidney Reilly's mistresses performs a striptease to a phonograph recording of the song.

On CD

 * A version of Vesta Victoria singing the song can be found on the CD 60 Old-Time Variety Songs ISBN 0-86175-008-X
 * It also appears on the Ultimate Pub Sing-A-Long Album

Lyrics
I love my little cat, I do With soft black silky hair It comes with me each day to school And sits upon the chair When teacher says "why do you bring That little pet of yours?" I tell her that I bring my cat Along with me because

Daddy wouldn't buy me a bow-wow! bow wow! Daddy wouldn't buy me a bow-wow! bow wow! I've got a little cat And I'm very fond of that But I'd rather have a bow-wow Wow, wow, wow, wow

We used to have two tiny dogs Such pretty little dears But daddy sold 'em 'cause they used To bite each other's ears I cried all day, at eight each night Papa sent me to bed When Ma came home and wiped my eyes I cried again and said

Daddy wouldn't buy me a bow-wow! bow wow! Daddy wouldn't buy me a bow-wow! bow wow! I've got a little cat And I'm very fond of that But I'd rather have a bow-wow Wow, wow, wow, wow

I'll be so glad when I get old To do just as I "likes" I'll keep a parrot and at least A half a dozen tykes And when I've got a tiny pet I'll kiss the little thing Then put it in its little cot And on to it I'll sing

Daddy wouldn't buy me a bow-wow! bow wow! Daddy wouldn't buy me a bow-wow! bow wow! I've got a little cat And I'm very fond of that But I'd rather have a bow-wow Wow, wow, wow, wow