The Songs of Denzil Howson and Margot Sheridan
At least four of the Tarax Show Christmas Pantomimes, produced at GTV9 from 1957 to 1963, were in fact musicals and featured original songs with words by Denzil Howson and music by Margot Sheridan. In this post we will catalog these original songs, the lyrics and some recordings from the original soundtracks.
Denzil Howson and Margot Sheridan registered copyright on the words and music with the Australasian Performing Rights Association [APRA] in November 1964:
Most of these can be classified as songs for children because of course they were written for an audience of Tarax Show viewers at Christmas time.
Sometimes these original works were supplemented by existing songs that were “borrowed”. Whether copyright fees were paid for these is a good question. In those days it’s unlikely that overseas copyright holders would have ever found out their songs were used in this way.
The words sung in the recordings do not always match exactly those registered with APRA.
Songs from Merry Make-Believe, 1959
Santa’s Song “Ah That’s My Time”
Performed by Ken Warne as Santa.
Ken was a Melbourne actor who Denzil had worked with in country radio in Warrnambool.
Building toys, I never stop
And when those Christmas bells I hear
I know my sleigh is drawing near
Ah! That’s my time
The children are the ones I love
They fill my thoughts all else above
Their eyes hold joy for all to see
As they light on each Christmas tree
Ah! That’s my time
On Christmas Eve my sleigh I load
Then guide the deer to every room
To every house the world around
Where children’s laughter can be found
Ah! That’s my time
A time when friends, their old friends meet
A time when love and faith we greet
A time for fun and happy banter
A time the world awaits old Santa
Ah! That’s my time
King Ratbaggy’s Song
Performed by Ernie Carroll as King Ratbaggy of Make Believe Land.
Ernie Carroll was co-producer of the Tarax Show.
This gown on my sleeve means make-believe
For I am the King, a funny old thing
In the land of your dreams come true
Simple Simon is with the Pieman
And pretty Mary they call contrary
For I am the King, a funny old thing
In the land of your dreams come true
And Old Mother Goose is out on the loose
And folks up the hill
Why! It’s Jack and Jill
For I am the King, a funny old thing
In the land of your dreams come true
It’s nursery land on every hand
I sit on a throne of make-believe stone
For I am the King, a funny old thing
In the land of your dreams come true
Wonderful, Wonderful Make-Believe
Performed by Jack Little as Uncle Silas, and the cast.
It’s wishing our dreams into something that’s true
For if you believe in something that’s dear
Before you can wish you’ll find it is here
It’s wonderful, wonderful make-believe
It’s fantasy land come true
It’s a land that you’ll never want to leave
Just waiting here for you
For you and you and you
Just waiting here for you
For if you can wish on a make-believe star
Your dreams will all come true
Making believe makes life such fun
You’ve never lived until you’ve begun
To find in your dreams the friends that are near
Recalling the past from gay yesteryear
It’s wonderful, wonderful make-believe
It’s fantasy land come true
It’s a land that you’ll never want to leave
Just waiting here for you
For you and you and you
Just waiting here for you
For if you can wish on a make-believe star
Your dreams will all come true
Songs from The Magic Mirror, 1961
Uncle Joe’s Song
Performed by Frank Rich as Uncle Joe.
Frank Rich was a Melbourne actor who appeared in a number of Tarax Show productions.
That’s what they call me
They’re not in the know
Unless they’ve seen me work before
Perhaps met someone I knew of yore
I don’t pretend I’m perfect,
I’m not that silly you know
But listen all and gather round
As I sing sweet and low…
I’m Uncle Joe you know,
Strong and handsome and so
Genteel as a mouse right nar —
But when I’m rarin’ ter go
The boys around the lane they say
Lort art there luv — get art of the way
You’ve gotta treat him gentle
Beware of Uncle Joe
The lane is my home
I love it, I go there
I wouldn’t be happy away from its air
I sell a little, I busk and shirk
Anything that looks like work…
I don’t intend to stain or muss
Me hands through honest toil
For singin’ and dancin’ so
Just sets me head a whirl
[chorus repeat]
Dreaming is for You
Performed by Patti McGrath as Mary and Gerry Gee as himself.
And the clouds come drifting too
And the skies grow darker each day
You wonder what’s happening to you
Just dream, just dream a-while,
For dreaming is for you
In a dream you will find each mile
Shorter and troubles are few…
For a dream is the wish of your heart
In your mind as clear as can be —
In your dreams you cares will depart —
So dreaming’s for you and me
When your smile disappears in a frown,
The world seems grey and blue
And your cares have gotten you down
Here’s is what we say to you
Just dream, just dream a-while,
For dreaming is for you
In a dream you will find each mile
Shorter and troubles are few…
For a dream is the wish of your heart
In your mind as clear as can be —
In your dreams you cares will depart —
So dreaming’s for you and me
Highness With Shyness
Performed by Ernie Carroll as the Duke of Ratbaggy and Rosie Sturgess as the Duchess of Ratbaggy.
Ernie Carroll was co-producer of the Tarax Show. Rosie Sturgess was a Melbourne comedy actress who appeared regularly on Graham Kennedy’s In Melbourne Tonight.
I’m bashful and coy
Yet I want to be friendly
For I’m that sort of boy
But when people ask me
“How are you today?”
I blush red and then flee
Which makes them all say…
Shyness Highness
Dizzy and coy
Unpretentious
Bashful old boy
Humble highness
Blushing rose
Shyness highness
With the boastful nose
He’s the Duke of Ratbaggy
And I’m his Duchess
He’s really unobtrusive
But rather more so than less
But he’s never demanding
In fact he’s demure
Yet he’s so understanding
Yes he’s my Duke for sure
Shyness Highness
Dizzy and coy
Unpretentious
Bashful old boy
Humble highness
Blushing rose
Shyness highness
With the boastful nose
Odd Job Men
Performed by Frank Rich as Uncle Joe and Ron Blaskett as himself.
Frank Rich was a Melbourne actor who appeared in a number of Tarax Show productions.
We don’t presume
To be experts…
We just consume
Three meals a day
And studiously shirk
In every way
All the hard work
We’re Odd job men
Around the palace
But never here when
There’s tasks to face
My name’s Joe
My name’s Ron
We tell you that so
You don’t get us wrong
We’re odd job men
We’ll cause mayhem
Until the day when
We’re paid as much as Graham
For we’re odd job men
That’s all you need to know
Clear? Right then
Let’s on with the show
Songs from The Golden Princess, 1962
Snug as a Bug in a Persian Rug
Performed by Joff Ellen as Pasha, Ron Blaskett as Blaskett Al Tisket a’ Tasket and Gerry Gee.
Joff Ellen was a Melbourne comedy actor who appeared regularly on The Tarax Show as Joffa Boy and on Graham Kennedy’s In Melbourne Tonight.
And no-one could be happier than that
I’m a fellow that just doesn’t give a shrug
For I’m snug as a bug in a Persian rug
I’m an elf that is so happy with himself
Or a mouse with cheddar cheese up on the shelf
No hot water bottle need I ever hug
For I’m snug as a bug in a Persian rug
I’m not cold or not unwanted anymore
Not a wallflower when the dancers take the floor
No shivers when I pull the bathroom plug
For I’m snug as a bug in a Persian rug
A Caliph Brave and Bold
Mimed by Frank Rich (on a horse) as Caliph Rashid El Mocca. Actual vocalist unknown.
Frank Rich was a Melbourne actor who appeared in a number of Tarax Show productions.
Of princely bearing proud,
And when a crowd I pass them by
They sing my praises loud
Rashid El Mocca is his name
A caliph rich with gold
Every person knows his fame
And many a story’s told
Of Rashid El Mocca’s palace there
The Palace of El Marima
Awaiting the touch of a princess fair
The lovely maid — Fatima
Pasha the Dasher
Performed by Joff Ellen as Pasha.
Joff Ellen was a Melbourne comedy actor who appeared regularly on The Tarax Show as Joffa Boy and on Graham Kennedy’s In Melbourne Tonight.
A fellow from old Bhagdad
A chappie who’s ever so happy
Who’s glad that his dad was a lad…
For I’m…
Pasha a Persian from Pandu
A perfectly positive pandit,
I’m Pasha — the son of Natasha
I’m Pasha — the Arabian knight
I’m a beggar and proud to relate it
An artist in certain devices
A fellow so often berated
And accused of all sorts of vices
But I’m…
Pasha, a Persian from Pandu
A perfectly positive pandit
I’m Pasha the son of Natasha
I’m Pasha the Arabian knight
Abou Hassan the Arab
Performed by Alan Rowe as the magician, Abou Hassan.
Authorship of these lyrics is not clear. They are not included in Denzil’s set of lyrics registered with APRA.
I’m the magical one, that’s me,
I make my poisoned potions,
From my box of tricks you see.
I’m a very bad lad from old Bhagdad,
I can cast a magic spell,
I’ve hypnotised the Arabian Knights
And Arabian days as well!
I am your servant, master
For whatever you may need,
Don’t soil your hands upon that wench,
Let Abou do the deed,
This little pill, will make her ill,
It’s a line I sell quite cheap
She’ll take it, then for years and years,
She’ll sleep, and sleep, and sleep.
I’m Abou Hassan, the Arab,
I’m the magical one, that’s me,
I make up horrid medicine,
From the leaf of the BooBoo Tree.
I’m a very bad lad from old Bhagdad,
I can cast a magic spell,
I’ve hypnotised the Arabian Knights
And Arabian days as well!
Happiness Time
Performed by the cast and chorus.
The words below are the ones actually sung which are different from those in the script.
All else above,
My Princess fair
and you’re my love.
The Princess is awake,
She’s laughing as of yore,
The glad tidings make
Us happier for sure.
Let’s sing it again,
A wedding there’ll be,
Her Prince Charming’s name
Is Ali Gerry Gee.
Songs from Marianne, 1963
Tiefencastel (in the Snow)
Performed by the chorus.
The girls are sweeter beyond compare
Music and dancing on every hand
Come with us now as we take you there
Tiefencastel in the Snow
Mountain village fair
That’s the place for you to go
Happiness fills the air
Smiling faces, cheery grin
Merry mountain band
Greet you every moment in
Good old Switzerland
Fritz Hoffle’s Song
Performed by Frank Wilson as Fritz Hoffle the toymaker.
Frank Wilson was a well-known Melbourne actor and television personality.
Watch my busy fingers
As the children laugh and play
Their memory still lingers on…
Jack and Jill and Humpty too
King Cole and Simple Simon
That silly lazy fellow who
Was waiting for the Pieman
Tommy Tittlemouse so small
And Mother Hubbard’s doggie
The Frog who would a-wooing call
That love-sick croaking froggie.
Fritz Hoffle’s shop the children see
As a book with open pages.
It’s treasures call enticingly
To children of all ages
Dickory Dock with striking clock
Miss Muffet and her spider
The Queen of Hearts and Curly Locks
And Jack Spratt sipping cider
There’s toys galore, toys by the score
Enough for every rascal
No child could ever wish for more
In happy Tiefencastel.
Mayor of Tiefencastle
Performed by Frank Rich as the Mayor of Tiefencastle.
Frank Rich was a Melbourne actor who appeared in a number of Tarax Show productions.
A fact that’s most exciting you’ll agree
I’m important, I’m impressive, don’t you know
There’s no-one more momentous here than me
I’m essential, quite eventful, full of note
Facing danger, I will never turn a hair
And that’s the reason all the people vote
For me — their weighty influential Mayor
I can order people here to serve me well
There’s only one that gives me any strife
And if you promise not a soul to tell
Confidentially between us — it’s my wife
Work Song
Performed by the chorus.
With a hustle and a tussle
To make the toys you see
From midnight hour
Till that early morning shower
We’re as busy, as busy as can be
Our task tonight,
Is to quickly set alright
Mari-Anne’s sweet Rosalinda
With hammer and nail
To the job we sail
Till we’re hot as a glowing cinder
And when it’s done
And the witching hour has run
And the magic spell has ended
We’ll stiffly stand
With the Toytown band
Until night has again descended
