Daisy Bell or Daisy Daisy
Lyrics
Daisy, Daisy,Give me your answer, do!I'm half crazy,All for the love of you!It won't be a stylish marriage,I can't afford a carriage,But you'll look sweet upon the seatOf a bicycle built for two!
There is a flower within my heart, Daisy, Daisy!Planted one day by a glancing dart,Planted by Daisy Bell!Whether she loves me or loves me not,Sometimes it's hard to tell;Yet I am longing to share the lotOf beautiful Daisy Bell!(Chorus)
We will go "tandem" as man and wife, Daisy, Daisy!"Ped'ling" away down the road of life, I and my Daisy Bell!When the road's dark we can both despise P'liceman and "lamps" as well;There are "bright lights" in the dazzling eyes Of beautiful Daisy Bell!(Chorus)
I will stand by you in "wheel" or woe, Daisy, Daisy!You'll be the bell(e) which I'll ring you know! Sweet little Daisy Bell!You'll take the "lead" in each "trip" we take, Then if I don't do well;I will permit you to use the brake, My beautiful Daisy Bell!(Chorus)
History and Meaning
Daisy Bell or Daisy Daisy is a popular nineteenth-century music hall song. Celebrated for its catchy chorus about a "bicycle built for two," the song captured the public interest during the great bicycle boom of the 1890s and has since become a standard sing-along tune.
What is the origin of the song Daisy Bell?
The English songwriter Harry Dacre wrote and composed the song in 1892. According to popular accounts, Dacre found inspiration after traveling to the United States. Upon his arrival, he was charged a custom duty on his bicycle. A friend joked that it was lucky he did not bring a tandem bicycle, as he would have been charged double. This humorous remark prompted Dacre to write the song.
What is the meaning behind the lyrics of Daisy Bell?
The lyrics tell the story of a suitor proposing to a young woman named Daisy. He admits that he is not wealthy and cannot afford a traditional, expensive wedding or a horse-drawn carriage. Instead, he proposes that they travel through life together on a tandem bicycle. The song reflects the social impact of the bicycle in the late Victorian era, which offered young couples a new, affordable means of independent travel and courtship.
Who wrote the song Daisy Bell?
The song was written and composed by the English songwriter Harry Dacre in 1892. It quickly became a popular music hall hit performed by singers like Katie Lawrence.
What is the significance of Daisy Bell in computer history?
In 1961, at Bell Labs, researchers programmed an IBM 704 computer to play and sing the song, which was a landmark demonstration of early speech synthesis. This historical event inspired director Stanley Kubrick to feature the song in his 1968 film "2001: A Space Odyssey," where the computer HAL 9000 sings it as it is shut down.
Music Video
Lyrics from nurseryrhymes.info