I thought members might be interested by this query. Although I had never
imagined that 'Surabaya Johnny' used Kipling's verses! It seems much more
like a popular song, and is better sung than read! Jane Keskar
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gerry Rowe" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2002 4:33 PM
Subject: Surabaya Johnny
> Dear Ms Keskar
>
> I got your address from the excellent Kipling Society
> website where I was trying to find the answer to a
> question about the authorship of the Song of Surabaya
> Johnny. I wonder if you can help me at all?
>
> This ballad appears in Brecht/Weill's musical play
> Happy End. I have seen various English 'translations'
> from the German of this piece. Intriguingly I have a
> CD recording of Brecht/Weill songs that says that all
> the words of the songs included are by Brecht except
> those for Polly's Song (Threepenny Opera) and The Song
> of Surabaya Johnny both by Rudyard Kipling. I don't
> know my Kipling that well but the English of Surabaya
> Johnny on that CD sounds as though it could be by RK
> what with the demotic grammar and Eastern Empire
> setting. Mind you the subject matter, the seduction of
> tender girls by a raffish sailor, would represent a
> side of Kipling I hadn't heard about!
>
> 'I was just past my sixteenth birthday
> When you drops in one day from the blue
> And you says to come with you to Burma
> And to leave all the fixing to you.
> I asked you what job you was doing
> And I swear that you answered to me
> You was something to do with the railway
> And had nothing to do with the sea.
>
> You talked a lot Johnny
> A lot of lies Johnny
> You took me for a ride Johnny
> All along the line
> I love you so Johnny
> You're grinning there Johnny
> Take that pipe out of your mouth, you swine.
>
> Surabaya Johnny, done the worst that you know,
> Surabaya Johnny, oh God I love you so
> Surabaya Johnny, where can I hide or go?
> You've got no heart Johnny, yet I still love you
> so...'
>
> There is a good deal of confusion surrounding Brecht's
> many 'happy borrowings'. His secretary (some say she
> did most of the writing) Elisabeth Hauptmann read and
> incorporated a deal of English literature in their
> output so it is not inconceivable.
>
> I'd be grateful if anyone can tell me where it might
> come from. In Weill's setting it is a stunningly good
> song, whoever wrote!
>
> Sorry for intruding on your time.
>
> Yours
>
> Gerry Rowe (not an academic)
>
>
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