Ja-Da (1918)

A silly, simple, cute and catchy self-referencing song
words and music by Bob Carleton

Lyrics

1. You've heard all about your raggy melodies
Everything from opera down to harmony
But I've a little song that I will sing to you
It's going to win you thru and thru
There ain't much to the words but the music is grand
And you'll be singing it to beat the band
Now you've heard of your "Will O'The Wisp"
But give a little listen to this, it goes

Chorus
Ja Da (Ja Da), Ja Da (Ja Da), Ja Da Ja Da Jing, Jing, Jing
(Everybody's singing)
Ja Da (Ja Da), Ja Da (Ja Da), Ja Da Ja Da Jing, Jing, Jing
That's a funny little bit of melody
It's so soothing and appealing to me
It goes Ja Da (Ja Da), Ja Da (Ja Da), Ja Da Ja Da Jing, Jing, Jing

2. Now everyone was singing a Hawaiian strain
Everyone seemed to have it on their brain
When Yaka Hicky Hoola Do was all the craze
Why that's the one that had 'em dazed
The object now is for something new
Something that will appeal to you
And here's a little melody that you will find
Will linger, linger there in your mind, it goes

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The lyrics of this lively little song predicted its success. Written in Illinois, it was donated to benefit the Navy Relief Society. Seems to be a take-off on the many pseudo-Oriental, middle eastern, and Hawaiian songs of the time. Its gibberish lyrics were a foretaste of modern Dadaism, Salvadore Dali, and Gertrude Stein

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Sung here by Fred Feild.
Get the sheet music and MIDI at:
https://www.sheetmusicsinger.com/ja-da/