"Dardanella" is a popular song published in 1919 by Fred Fisher

Fred Fisher

Fred Fisher was a German-born American songwriter and Tin Pan Alley music publisher. Fisher founded Fred Fisher Music Publishing Company in 1907. He was born as Albert von Breitenbach in Cologne...

, who wrote the lyrics for the music written by Felix Bernard

Felix Bernard

Felix Bernard was an American conductor, pianist and a composer of popular music. His writing credits include the popular songs Winter Wonderland and Dardanella.-Biography:...

 and Johnny S. Black. Band conductor Ben Selvin

Ben Selvin

Benjamin B. Selvin , son of Russian-immigrant Jewish parents, was a musician, bandleader, record producer and innovator in recorded music. He was known as The Dean of Recorded Music....

 (1898–1980) led into the 1920s with his hit instrumental version of Dardanella. The song held the No. 1 spot on the U.S. charts for 13 weeks, and sold a seemingly incredible five million copies.

Its chorus is:

Oh sweet Dardanella

I love your harem eyes.

I'm a lucky fellow

To capture such a prize.

Oh Allah knows, my love for you

And he tells you to be true

Dardanella,Oh hear my sigh,

My Oriental,

Oh sweet Dardanella

Prepare the wedding wine,

There'll be one girl in my harem

When you're mine.

We'll build a tent

Just like the children

Of the Orient,

Oh, sweet Dardanella

My star of love divine!

External links

• "Dardanella", 1920 version by Gladys Rice and Vernon Dalhart
  Vernon Dalhart
  Vernon Dalhart , born Marion Try Slaughter, was a popular American singer and songwriter of the early decades of the 20th century. He is a major influence in the field of country music.-Early life:...
  
   at the Internet Archive
  Internet Archive
  The Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
  
  
• "Dardanella" (instrumental), Selvin's Novelty Orchestra
  Ben Selvin
  Benjamin B. Selvin , son of Russian-immigrant Jewish parents, was a musician, bandleader, record producer and innovator in recorded music. He was known as The Dean of Recorded Music....
  
   (Victor 18633, 1919) at the Internet Archive
  Internet Archive
  The Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
  
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