Dardanella

"Dardenella"
Cover, sheet music, 1919
Written by	Felix Bernard/Johnny S. Black
Lyrics by	Fred Fisher
Published	1919
Language	English
Form	Blues

"Dardanella" is a popular song published in 1919 by Fred Fisher, who wrote the lyrics for the music written by Felix Bernard and Johnny S. Black. Band conductor Ben Selvin (1898–1980) led into the 1920s with his hit instrumental version of Dardanella. The song held the No. 1 spot on the U.S. charts for 13 weeks, and sold a seemingly incredible five million copies.^[1]

Its chorus is:

Oh sweet Dardanella

I love your harem eyes.

I'm a lucky fellow

To capture such a prize.

Oh Allah knows, my love for you

And he tells you to be true

Dardanella,Oh hear my sigh,

My Oriental,

Oh sweet Dardanella

Prepare the wedding wine,

There'll be one girl in my harem

When you're mine.

We'll build a tent

Just like the children

Of the Orient,

Oh, sweet Dardanella

My star of love divine!^[2]

References

1. ^ CD liner notes: Chart-Toppers of the Twenties, 1998 ASV Ltd.
2. ^ Fisher, "Dardanella".

Bibliography

• Fisher, Fred (w.); Felix Bernard/Johnny S. Black (m). "Dardanella" (Sheet Music). New York: McCarthy & Fisher (1919).

External links

• "Dardanella", 1920 version by Gladys Rice and Vernon Dalhart at the Internet Archive
• "Dardanella" (instrumental), Selvin's Novelty Orchestra (Victor 18633, 1919) at the Internet Archive.