[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
Dashing “up-to-date” song and refrain, 1895
words by Walter H. Ford
music by John W. Bratton
The sheet music:
Accompaniment:
Lyrics
1. In a quiet little village, not so very far away
There lived a pretty maiden just as sweet as flowers of May
And everybody said this little maid was so demure
That she would be an angel certain sure
She was quite a model of propriety and dress
Always blushed when spoken to and answered no or yes
Never had a beau or went to parties no indeed
Never saw a novel she would read
Chorus
Henrietta, you are saintly
Always smile so very faintly
All your manners are so quaintly
When you wear the wings up yonder
Will you be so good I wonder
Henrietta, I declare it
All my life is yours I swear it
If you would consent to share it
Henrietta, have you met her? Hen- (Who?) -rietta
2. Henrietta reached the city, and she lived there just a year
Up went the price of diamonds and even bread was dear
Soon all the chappies were in pawn, policemen all resigned
The midway dancers soon were out of mind
At the races every horse she played was sure to win
Champagne by the basket, just to wash her tresses in
Paint a bright vermillion on the Tenderloin she spread
When the day would dawn, she’d go to bed
Chorus
Henrietta, you’re a corker
You’re a wonder as a talker
When you fleece an old New Yorker
First you take him, then you break him
Then you do your best to shake him
Henrietta, you’re a wonder
Bank accounts you smash like thunder
Never known to make a blunder
Henrietta, have you met her? Hen- (Who?) -rietta
3. Henrietta went to Europe with some other high-toned girls
But they were never “in it” with the noble Dukes and Earls
She might have been a Princess but she played a different game
They soon found out the reason why she came
She had heard of foreign counts who have been bought and sold
She believed in keeping circulating all this gold
So instead of bringing home a lot of titled trash
She came back with every kind of cash
Chorus
Henrietta, you’re a winner
All their pocket books are thinner
Since they took you out to dinner
You are “up to date” completely
For you fooled them all so neatly
When you go back to Hoboken
You will take there as a token
All the “Johnnies” hearts you’ve broken
Henrietta, have you met her? Hen- (Who?) -rietta
Sung here by Fred Feild: