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I Got a Gal in Baltimore
Old-Time, Song and Dance Tune (2/4 time). Southwestern Pa. ARTIST: Georgia Crackers and a version from Kuntz CATEGORY: Fiddle and Instrumental Tunes DATE: Early 1900’s RECORDING INFO: Uncle Willie's Brandy Snifters. String Band Project, Elektra EKS 7292, LP, cut#A.10
OTHER NAMES: "Ta Ra Ra Boom De Ay," "Streamers on Her Hat," “I Have a Wife in Baltimore”
SOURCES: M Rogers (Pa., 1930's) [Bayard]. Bayard (Dance to the Fiddle), 1981; No. 182, pg. 139. Kuntz (Ragged but Right), 1987; pg. 287. Randolph 452, "I Got a Gal in Baltimore"
NOTES: F Major (Bayard): G Major (Kuntz). Standard. One part (Kuntz): AB (Bayard). Bayard (1981) guesses that the tune is German, thought the only European source he cites is Vinko Zganec, Zbornik Jugoslovenskih Puckih Popievaka (Pg. 339, No. 627). The ditty was commercially recorded in America by the Georgia Crackers in 1927 as "I Got a Gal in Baltimore." Randolph, taking a lead from Spaeth (in Read 'Em and Weep, p. 146 [Randolph prints 166 in error]), thinks this may be connected to "Ta-ra-ra boom-de-ay." The form suggests a connection to "Old Joe Clark" or a relative. "She don't wear no -- yes, she do/She don't wear no Sunday shoes." The tune is nothing like either "Old Joe Clark" or "Ta-Ra-Ra-Boom-De-Ay"; it's a string-ragtime sort of tune. This sounds like it might be a second half-verse to go with the half-verse above.
I got a gal in Baltimore,
Street car runs right by the door;
Hundred dollar carpet on the floor,
If that ain't enough I'll by some more. (Kuntz)
I got a gal in Baltimore,
Street-car runs right by her door,
Crazy baby a-settin' on the floor,
Get your hair cut pompadour! (The Georgia Crackers)
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