Thelma Carpenter "Bill" from "Show Boat” (1945) on Majestic 1028 = Jerome Kern & P. G. Wodehouse
I used to dream that I would discover The perfect lover someday I knew I'd recognize him if ever He came 'round my way I always used to fancy then He'd be one of the god-like kind of men With a giant brain and a noble head Like the heroes bold in the books I've read But along came Bill Who's not the type at all You'd meet him on the street And never notice him His form and face His manly grace Are not the kind that you Would find in a statue And I can't explain It's surely not his brain That makes me thrill I love him because he's wonderful Because he's just my Bill He can't play golf or tennis or polo Or sing a solo or row He isn't half as handsome As dozens of men that I know The song "Bill" was written by Jerome Kern and P. G. Wodehouse for their 1917 musical Oh, Lady! Lady!! The song was withdrawn from that 1917 show because the was considered too melancholy for that show. When Kern and Hammerstein were at work on Show Boat, they decided that the song would be perfect for a nightclub scene in the show. Hammerstein revised Wodehouse's original lyrics somewhat though he would always give full credit to Wodehouse for the song and take none for himself. The song was given to singer Helen Morgan, who portrayed the mulatto Julie in Show Boat. Thelma Carpenter "Bill" from "Show Boat” (1945) on Majestic 1028 = Jerome Kern & P. G. Wodehouse
I used to dream that I would discover The perfect lover someday I knew I'd recognize him if ever He came 'round my way I always used to fancy then He'd be one of the god-like kind of men With a giant brain and a noble head Like the heroes bold in the books I've read But along came Bill Who's not the type at all You'd meet him on the street And never notice him His form and face His manly grace Are not the kind that you Would find in a statue And I can't explain It's surely not his brain That makes me thrill I love him because he's wonderful Because he's just my Bill He can't play golf or tennis or polo Or sing a solo or row He isn't half as handsome As dozens of men that I know The song "Bill" was written by Jerome Kern and P. G. Wodehouse for their 1917 musical Oh, Lady! Lady!! The song was withdrawn from that 1917 show because the was considered too melancholy for that show. When Kern and Hammerstein were at work on Show Boat, they decided that the song would be perfect for a nightclub scene in the show. Hammerstein revised Wodehouse's original lyrics somewhat though he would always give full credit to Wodehouse for the song and take none for himself. The song was given to singer Helen Morgan, who portrayed the mulatto Julie in Show Boat. Thelma Carpenter "Bill" from "Show Boat” (1945) on Majestic 1028 = Jerome Kern & P. G. Wodehouse