My Pony Boy
| "My Pony Boy" | |
|---|---|
 Sheet music cover (1909). | |
| Song | |
| Published | 1909 |
| Composer(s) | Charley O'Donnell. |
| Lyricist(s) | Bobbie Heath |
| Language | English |
"My Pony Boy" is a popular song written in 1909 by Bobby Heath (lyrics) and Charley O'Donnell.
Description
Along with songs like "Cheyenne", it became a cliché, as its tune was frequently used in Western movies and cartoons. It works especially well when played on a "Honky tonk" piano.
The first verse explains that the central character of the song has many female admirers; the second that the "Fluffy Ruffle girl" has won his heart. The chorus:
- Pony Boy, Pony Boy
- Won't you be my pony boy
- Don't say no
- Here we go
- Off across the plains
- Marry me
- Carry me
- Right away with you
- Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up, whoa!
- My Pony Boy[1]
The old expression "giddy up", exhorting a horse to gallop at high speed, is a corruption of "get ye up". The term "tony" refers to someone of high "tone" or social elegance.[2]
In the 1931 Krazy Kat short Rodeo Dough, a female spaniel sings the song after Krazy wins a rodeo event. In the 1950s The song was used in a commercial selling a juice concentrate also called Pony Boy.
Bruce Springsteen included a modified version as the last song on his 1992 album Human Touch.
Recordings
Victor Records # 16356, Ada Jones, singer
Bibliography
- Heath, Bobbie; O'Donnell, Charlie. "My Pony Boy" (sheet music). New York: Jerome H. Remick & Co. (1909).
External links
- Complete lyrics, MIDI, history and versions
- Original sheet music
- Recording by Ada Jones and a quarter
References
- ↑ Heath, "My Pony Boy"
- ↑ http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=tony&searchmode=none
