Looking for an old song with a chorus that starts, "Dear John..."

June 17, 2013 10:02 AM

My Dad remembers a song he used to sing when he was a kid. The chorus, if his memory serves well, goes something like this: Dear John, I think the world of you, But I'm in love with someone new. I could marry one but I can't marry two, So farewell to you, dear John. I've included the complete song below. Anyway, I'm wondering if this was every sung by a famous or notable singer? Are there any notable recordings? Can anyone provide any more information about it? Many thanks in advance!

Here's the complete song, as best as he remembers it:

I was to be wed to a redhead named Red,
But I had to go away.
To Red I was true and I thought she was too,
Til she wrote me this letter one day,

Chorus: Dear John, I think the world of you,
But I'm in love with someone new.
I could marry one but I can't marry two,
So farewell to you, dear John.

When sweet Leilani showed Hawaii to me,
I fell for her native charm.
"Give me something," said I, "to remember you by,"
And she carved this tattoo on my arm,

(Chorus)

In Paris I met a brunette named Yvette.
I called her my Sweet Cherie.
The wedding was set,but Yvette I regret
Sent the following letter to me:

(Chorus)

In Spain my amor was a girl matador;
The wedding was set for Spring.
My love it was full as she vanquished the bull;
Then she threw me this note from the ring,

(Chorus)

Now Hilda was Swiss and a muscular miss
From punching the holes in cheese.
I asked her to wed, but she yodeled instead,
And this message came down in the breeze,

(Chorus)

And now I'm with Sal, just a hillbilly gal;
She's ugly, she's fat, she's dumb.
She knows how to fight, but she ain't learned to write,
So I reckon no letter will come

posted by stuehler to Media & Arts (7 answers total)

Perhaps Phil Harris and Alice Faye? (Lyrics.)
posted by MonkeyToes at 10:16 AM on June 17, 2013 [1 favorite]

I think this is what you are looking for:
http://rateyourmusic.com/release/single/phil_harris/the_letter__dear_john____possibilities
Singers: Phil Harris, Alice Faye
This page refers to the only recording available, a 1950 vinyl single. The song isn't on any of the Phil Harris compilations out there, and there are no YouTube recordings of it.

The good news? You can buy it on eBay right now for under ten bucks including shipping: http://bit.ly/14GcOOE. Hope someone you know has a turntable that will play 78 rpm records!
posted by gillyflower at 10:20 AM on June 17, 2013 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Also:

"99882. The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show. April 22, 1951. NBC net. Sponsored by: RCA. When the sponsor becomes unhappy with the show's format, Phil changes it into a copy of, "Suspense." The first 30 seconds are worth the price of admission. Alice and Phil sing, "The Letter.""

This CD includes the show from April 22, 1951, "Improvement Is Necessary." Looks like it's also available here. Or on Amazon.
posted by MonkeyToes at 11:15 AM on June 17, 2013 [2 favorites]

I'm wondering if this was every sung by a famous or notable singer?

Forgot to say: Phil Harris was the voice of Baloo in Disney's "The Jungle Book."
posted by MonkeyToes at 1:25 PM on June 17, 2013 [1 favorite]

Everyone who grew up during the 80s in N.Z. probably knows the song well, or at least a part of it
posted by Packed Lunch at 1:40 PM on June 17, 2013 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: Thanks to MonkeyToes and gillyflower, I found a terrific recording!

You can listen to the entire show (from April 22, 1951) here.

The song starts at 9:40 if you'd like to listen to it!
posted by stuehler at 2:04 PM on June 17, 2013

Response by poster: Packed Lunch - that's a different "Dear John" song - perhaps even more famous - by Jean Sheppard and Ferlin Husky.

But I'm glad you mentioned it - it's terrific!
posted by stuehler at 2:09 PM on June 17, 2013