Tassels on the boots

From US Sheet Music in Levy Collection

Twas at a fancy ball
I met my charmer fair,
'Midst Waltzing Swells and dashing belles,
The prettiest dancer there.
I watched her while the music played
The latest waltz of Coote's
And fell in love-no, not with her.
But the tassels on her boots. Oh! yes!

[Spoken-Yes! through those little peep-holes In that pretty
white petticoat, I could plainly see...]

Those tassels on the boots,
A style, I'm sure, that suits
Our English girls, with hair in curls-
Those tassels on her boots.

I watched her up the stairs,
Where we to supper went;
Upon those tassels on her boots
My soul was so intent;
They asked me to propose a health
Said I, here's one that suits.
So fill your glasses up and drink
To the tassels on the boots.

[Spoken-I meant to drink the ladies' health, but I could
think of nothing but...]

I asked this girl "if I
Might call, she said, "You may
But tell me why you gaze upon
The ground in such a way?
You're sad, perhaps, for life is full
Of very bitter fruits;"
"Oh, no," I said, "I'm looking at
Those tassels on your boots.

[Spoken-What is a more lovely sight when you walk down
Regent Street than to look at...]

I called on her next day,
And Cupid's cruel shoots
Soon made me throw myself before
Those tassels on her boots.
Now when we're married and we've got
A lot of little toots,
I'll make them, whether boys or girls,
Wear tassels on their boots.

[Spoken-If I were to have twenty children, they should every
one wear those pretty, pretty, pretty...]

Widely printed in late 19th century American street literature and later adopted as a traditional American song and dance tune, this song originated in the British Music Halls of the late 1860s. It was written and performed by Robert Coombs whose brief biography appears below.Here is a brief review of a performance at The Cambridge in London, May 1868

There are multiple reports in local British newspapers of the song being sung in amateur performances from 1868 on. It featured in the repertoire of several American vaudeville entertainers in the late 1860s and early 1870s.

Robert Coombs (birth, death unknown) seems to have had an extremely short career in the British Music Halls. For a short period between 1868 and 1870 he appeared regularly in London and Home Counties. His appearances in 1968 describe him as a “newcomer”, these and other notices tended to bill him as an “author, composer and comedian”. He appeared in concert parties accompanied by Alfred Lee, who was best known for his collaborations with George Leybourne. He sold at least one his song to Leybourne: Turkey Rhubarb and he also wrote/composed We cards in the Guards (RNV56878). I can find no trace of him after 1870, it may be that he changed his name, emigrated or passed away.

Possibly:

Sources:

• VWML entry
• Kilgarrif Sing Us
• UK Sheet Music (not accessed): Worldcat entry
• Lyrics and US Sheet Music: Levy Collection
• Slightly amended lyrics for American audiences were published in Wehman ‘s Universal Songster Vol 4 (c1884) at traditionalmusic.co.uk
• Fresno Ballad Index
• https://tunearch.org/wiki/Tassels_on_the_Boots

Last Updated on December 2, 2022 by John Baxter | Published: December 2, 2022