[Sheet music] What do you think of the Kaiser? Boo! Hoo! Hoo!

Sheet music for the song titled 'What Do You Think Of The Kaiser? Boo! Hoo! Hoo!' composed by Charles Ridgeway under his stage name Charles Vaude. The song was performed by Vaude with his stage partner Bill Verne on the Tivoli Circuit. It was also performed by Glanmore Jones, with the New York Comedy 4. This song was to be performed with spirit and features spoken passages before the audience is encouraged to join in with the chorus.

The cover of this copy of the music features a photograph of the two entertainers with the description 'Vaude & Verne's screamingly funny chorus extravaganza'. Also on the cover is an excerpt from a review of the song stating, "This thoroughly original chorus ditty gives the audience an effective opportunity of plainly demonstrating their unanimous opinion of the Kaiser, who is 'Boo-hoo-ed' and counted out in unmistakeable fashion." This copy was publised by Dinsdales' Pty Ltd, Melbourne, and sold for the price of 6d. The back page features the Dinsdales' Music Catalogue which includes the Bennett Scott Piano Tutor - a publication that is advertised throughout this copy.

In an article titled 'Origin of War Songs', published in the Sporting Globe newspaper, Charles Vaude writes about 'What do you think of the Kaiser?' and recalls that he was 'upbraided for writing in a jocular way about Kaiser Bill.' He continues to say that it was 1915 and 'everyone was singing patriotic songs'. This was the reason behind the writing of the song as Vaude continues to explain, "When I attempted to write war songs my idea was that the world was sad enough without writing sob songs. Like my cockney cousins, I think there is nothing more annoying to the other fellow than to see his opponent laughing. That was the frame of mind I was in when I wrote 'What do you think of the Kaiser?"' Vaude always intended audiences to assist with the chorus and mentions that it was 'a big stage success, but it didn't create a sales record.'

Ridgeway and Barrington met at Broken Hill, New South in 1908. With their stage names of Verne and Vaude, they became well established entertainers on the Tivoli Circuit around Australia as part of a partnership that lasted until about 1929 or 1930.

Towards the bottom of this page is a sound recording of this sheet music, or a parody, that was created as part of the Music and the First World War project. More information about this recording, including names of the performers, can be found on the catalogue record for the sound recording. A link to the catalogue record for the sound recording can be found at the bottom of this page, under the heading ‘Related objects’ where it can be identified with the prefix [sound recording].