Dardanella

For the theatre company, see Dardanella (theatre company).

"Dardenella"
Cover, sheet music, 1919
Song

"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. Bandleader Ben Selvin (1898–1980) recorded "Dardanella" for several record labels (including Victor and Paramount), and by some estimates, his recordings of the tune sold a combined total of more than a million copies.

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!

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.

• Fisher, "Dardanella".