A popular song from 1909.
Words by Edward Madden.
Music by Gus Edwards.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- Poor man, Mister Hammersteen
He’s-a turn-a green, feel-a ver-a mean
Talka craz, tho’ da funna hat
Down at the Op’ra house Manhat’
He’s-a lose wonderful Carus
Sing-a lak’ de deuce, singa da P’s and Q’s
Hisa mudd’ she’s ma fadder’s brud
Data mak’ him ma cousin Carus
Chorus
My cousin Caruso
Say, kid, when he cut loose
Dat Op’ra House justa shaka like-a dis-a like dat
He’ mak’ dem all cry, “Bravo Gratsi”
When he sing Pagliacci
His voice so sad-a
Drive de ladies all mad-a
Oh! what’s de use
He’s my cousin Carus
- One night someting is de mat’
Op’ra fall-a flat, goodbye “Traviat”
Can’t find Carus da great-a man
Up at the Metropolitan
Ten million people get-a sore
Jump up with a roar, pusha de building o’er
They yell Carus no want-a come
Grand Op’ra it goes on de bum
Chorus
My cousin Caruso
Say, kid, when he cut loose
Dat Op’ra House justa shaka like-a dis-a like dat
He’ mak’ de ladies tear out de rat-a
When he sing Traviata
His voice so dream-a
Lak’-a peaches and cream-a
Oh! what’s de use
He’s my cousin Carus
Sung here by Laurence Rubenstein: