There’s something nostalgic about songs from the previous centuries. Imagine using music sheets to write and memorize songs instead of saving the lyrics on the cloud! Daisy Bell is one such song from the late 19th century that became a hit over the years. The song was written by British songwriter Harry Dacre in 1892. Wow!
In fact, the story behind the song is rather fun and inspiring to read. Not one but two to three factors played a role in the creation of Daisy Bell. Curious? Let’s find out more about the song and how you can grab a printable version for free.
Written Lyrics
There is a flower within my heart, Daisy, Daisy!
Planted one day by a glancing dart,
Planted by Daisy Bell!
Whether she loves me or loves me not,
Sometimes it's hard to tell;
Yet I am longing to share the lot
Of beautiful Daisy Bell!
Daisy, Daisy,
Give me your answer, do!
I'm half crazy,
All for the love of you!
It won't be a stylish marriage,
I can't afford a carriage,
But you'll look sweet upon the seat
Of a bicycle built for two!
We will go "tandem" as man and wife, Daisy, Daisy!
"Ped'ling" away down the road of life, I and my Daisy Bell!
When the road's dark we can both despise P'liceman and "lamps" as well;
There are "bright lights" in the dazzling eyes Of beautiful Daisy Bell!
(Chorus)
I will stand by you in "wheel" or woe, Daisy, Daisy!
You'll be the bell(e) which I'll ring you know! Sweet little Daisy Bell!
You'll take the "lead" in each "trip" we take, Then if I don't do well;
I will permit you to use the brake, My beautiful Daisy Bell!
(Chorus)
Printable Lyrics
Get the lyrics of Daisy Bell to learn the song and sing it for your dear ones. Click here to download. (PDF Attached)
Photo Lyrics
Video Links
We’ve got two video links for you! Check this one if you want the original Phonograph Recording with lyrics as subtitles. Watch this video for an animated version with a slight adjustment of lyrics.
Origins and History
The history of Daisy Bell dates back to the late 19th century. Harry Dacre wrote the song in 1892 after being inspired by Frances Evelyn Greville, aka Daisy, the lady who rocked the era with her beauty, countless affairs, and, most importantly, her work for social welfare.
She was a cycling enthusiast during a time when cycling wasn’t yet considered a mode of transport, definitely not for ladies. It’s believed that her love for cycling is one of the inspirations for the song.
The songwriter purchased a cycle for himself in 1891 and had to pay a tremendous amount of customs duty to take it with him to the US. His friend William Jerome commented how the songwriter would have had to pay double the amount for a bicycle built for two. The phrase sparked an interest in Harry Dacre. He completed the rest of the song and titled it Daisy Bell.
Daisy Bell was a part of Hollywood movies too. It was first used in the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey (based on a novel written by Arthur C. Clarke in 1968). The song was also used in The Tripe Echo (1972) and The Time Traveler’s Wife (2009).
FAQs
Yes, it is. Daisy Bell was programmed on IBM 704 in 1961 in Bell Labs. This was one of the earliest examples of speech synthesis by computers. The song continued to be used by computer programmers over the years to create different versions.
The bicycle built for two people to ride together is called a tandem cycle. The cycles were patented during the same period Daisy Bell was released. Tandem cycles were a part of the Second Anglo-Boer War.
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