Hello, Central, Give Me Heaven

DESCRIPTION: "Papa, I'm so sad and lonely... Since dear Mama's gone to heaven." The child says that Papa has never smiled, and decides to call Heaven to talk to Mama. A voice at the other end says to kiss Mama through the telephone
AUTHOR: Charles K. Harris
EARLIEST DATE: 1901 (Source: Spaeth, A History of Popular Music in America)
KEYWORDS: technology death father mother children
FOUND IN: US(MW)
REFERENCES (3 citations):
Stout-FolkloreFromIowa 40, pp. 56-57, "Hello, Central, Give Me Heaven" (2 texts plus a fragment)
Neely/Spargo-TalesAndSongsOfSouthernIllinois, pp. 250-251, "Hello Central, Give Me Heaven" (1 text)
Spaeth-WeepSomeMoreMyLady, pp. 250-251, "Hello, Central, Give Me Heaven" (1 text, 1 tune)
Roud #4336
RECORDINGS:
Byron G. Harlan, "Hello, Central, Give Me Heaven" (CYL: Edison 7258, 1901)
NOTES [47 words]: Edward Foote Gardner, Popular Songs of the Twentieth Century: Volume I -- Chart Detail & Encyclopedia 1900-1949, Paragon House, 2000, p. 253, estimates that this was the second-most popular song in America in 1901, peaking at #1 in July 1901 (#1 for the year being "Dolly Grey"). - RBW
Last updated in version 6.5
File: Stou040

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