Portrait Gallery

Belva Ann Lockwood

Written for the SUNDAY JOURNAL, and inscribed to the eminent comedian Mr. DE WOLF HOPPER.

Belva, Dear, Belva, Dear!

Words and Music by M. H. Rosenfeld, 1888.

I. We'll not vote for Ben nor Grove,  Belva, dear; Belva, dear; For our choice is you and “Love.”  Belva, dear; Belva, dear; We endorse your views in full, For we know you're sound on wool, With a husband's hair to pull,  Belva, dear; Belva, dear!

II. When our votes for you are cast,  Belva, dear; Belva, dear; Will you tax the bustle vast,  Belva, dear; Belva, dear; Will you place a tariff high, On the hosiery we buy? We await your calm reply,  Belva, dear; Belva, dear!

III. For our babies we expect,  Belva, dear; Belva, dear; “Home productions” you'll protect,  Belva, dear; Belva, dear; And a husband's pockets see The'll no “port of entry” be While we slumber preacefully,  Belva, dear; Belva, dear; While we slumber peacfully,  Belva, dear; Belva, dear;

IV. On the bald heads at a show,  Belva, dear; Belva, dear; Would you put a stamp or no,  Belva, dear; Belva, dear? Will you hang the fiends we meet, Who in cars give up no seat, And reduce Chicago feet.  Belva, dear; ilelva, dear! And reduce Chicago feet,  Belva, dear; Belva, dear!

V. Ben and Grover we will shake,  Belva, dear; Belva, dear! For you're sure to take the cake,  Belva, dear; Belva, dear; Who'd prefer a man to you, With your locks of auburn hue, And your little heart so true,  Belva, dear; Bulva, dear! And your little heart so true,  Belva, dear; Belva, dear!

VI. When you're in the White House far,  Belva, dear; Belva, dear; Will you squelch the bob tail car,  Belva, dear; Belva, dear! Will you put the wires low, Make the Chinese skip and go. Will you give the boys a “show,”  Belva, dear; Belva, dear! Will you give the boys a “show,”  Belva, dear; Belva, dear!

VII. Should you win the seat of grace,  Belva, dear; Belva, dear; Should you whip them in the race,  Belva, dear; Belva, dear; Try to give us all a chance, At the tariff take a glance, Tax dear Mary Walker's pants,  Belva, dear; Belva, dear; Tax dear Mary Walker's pants,  Belva, dear; Belva, dear!

Mr. Benjamin W. Hitchcock, the enterprising Park row publisher who purchased the copyright of the above song, says:

“Of the many thousand prints on my catalogue I regard this song as one of the best topical hits I have yet examined. It is one that will even live long after the election, and its humorous text and catchy music will make it an eduring feature in the repertory of such comedians as Mr. DeWolf Hopper. It is a song that will yield unbounded fun for the fair sex and afford merry pastime in every home where there is a piano.”

Belva, Dear; Belva, Dear;Words and Music by M. H. Rosenfeld, 1888. (and lyrics) in The New York Morning Journal, Sunday, July 29, 1888. Belva Ann Lockwood Papers, SCPC-DG-098, Swarthmore College Peace Collection. (PDF)

The lyrics were reprinted, citing the New York Journal, on the front page the The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, Scranton Mississippi, August 10, 1888. (PDF)

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