The Band Played On

rdf:langString The Band Played On

rdf:langString "The Band Played On", also known (by its refrain) as "Casey Would Waltz with a Strawberry Blonde", was a popular song written in 1895 with lyrics by John F. Palmer and music by Charles B. Ward (1865–1917). Unusually, as originally published the verses are in 24 time, while the chorus is in 34 (waltz) time. The chorus is much better known than the verses to later generations. The lyrics of the refrain: Casey would waltz with a strawberry blondeAnd the band played on.He'd glide 'cross the floor with the girl he adoredAnd the band played on.But his brain was so loaded it nearly exploded;The poor girl would shake with alarm.He'd ne'er leave the girl with the strawberry curlsAnd the band played on. The song has become a pop standard with many recordings made. One of the first was made by Dan W. Quinn for Berliner Gramophone in 1895, which is the same year the song was first published. The song was later featured in many films, including Raoul Walsh's The Strawberry Blonde (1941), the title of which was inspired by the lyrics, and Alfred Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train (1951).