music.wikisort.org - Composition

"My Pony Boy" is a popular song written in 1909 by Bobby Heath (lyrics) and Charley O'Donnell. It was incorporated into the Broadway musical Miss Innocence (1909) where it was introduced by Lillian Lorraine.[1]

"My Pony Boy"
Sheet music cover (1909).
Song
Language	English
Published	1909
Songwriter(s)	Composer: Charley O'Donnell Lyricist: Bobbie Heath

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 Tony[2] 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[3]

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.[4]^{[original research?]}

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.

Recordings

Ada Jones recorded it for Victor Records # 16356 in August 1909.[5]

Peerless Quartet recorded for Columbia Records (catalog No. 713) in May 1909.[6]

Bing Crosby included the song in a medley on his album On the Happy Side (1962).

Bruce Springsteen included a modified version as the last song on his 1992 album Human Touch.

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

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