Date: 1945-10-03

Epistolary Signature: Audio

Brand: Wilcox-Gay, Recordio

Copyright:

Provenance:
Source: Thomas Y. Levin Collection
URL:
Title:
ID: 131

Medium:
Medium: Record
RPM: 78
Sides: double
Material:
Diameter:
Needle:
Duration: 252

Recording:
Place: Tampa, Florida
General Context: Military

Sender:
Sender: Sgt. "Jimmy" Joyce Drew Field Tampa, Florida
Country: United States
Sender Keywords: Man, Soldier

Recipient:
Recipient: Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lepore 28, Adrian Street Somerville, Mass. May, Joe, Joey (nephew)
Country: United States
Sender Keywords: Family

Content:
Primary Language: English
Summary: [Side 1:] speaking letter rather than writing; nephew will like record; school; Christmas; discharge birthday; car; letters; common friend; hospital [Side 2:] singing; "Bell-bottomed trousers"; nephew will like singing
Transcript:
[Side 1:]
Hello May, Joe, and Joey. How is everything going at home there? I am just taking this opportunity to sort of word you a letter instead of writing it. I thought that Joey would get a kick out of it, so I just thought I'd kid him along. So make sure you play this to him when he's around.
How you doin', Joey? You miss your uncle very much? I hope so. Well, I am way down at Florida now, but I should be home with you pretty soon. Now you take care of yourself and Mommy too, and we'll be back playin' ball again pretty soon. How do you like school now? You're workin' very hard? You better, don't forget you get a record to keep up, all the judges are pretty smart boys, so is your Daddy, too, so, you just keep goin' good and I'll be home to see you soon. Well, May, everything is pretty much the same down here, I am getting discharged from the hospital tomorrow, and I expect to be home by Christmas anyway, at the very latest. I should be home before that, because they are seperating all the men now, and (...) with any luck at all I should be home before my birthday, so, just keep your fingers crossed. How goes it with you? I hope you're taking care of yourself, and now, don't get all nerved up now. How about you, Joe? What's new with you? You're working hard as usual? Now take it easy now. How is the car running? That's good. Well, I don't know what the heck to say, I am just trying to grab a different thing to come along. I wrote a couple of letters to you, May, and I haven't received any answer yet, so let's get on the beam, and give me all the dirt from around there. Have you seen Peggy lately? Well, she writes every day, but I've been gettin my mail piled up, sort of, because I am in the hospital and (...) one jumbled up mess, so (...) half the time, but I am doing ok, so I shouldn't kick. I have been in the hospital for a month now.

[Side 2:] Here I go again, I am on the other side now. Now, I don't know, there isn't much to say, I think I'll croon Joey a little tune here just for the heck of it. Don't laugh too much, but here goes nothin'. I'll sing "Bell-bottomed trousers" just for the heck of it, you better not laugh at it.
[singing]
Once there was a little girl
Who lived down Drury Lane
Her Master was so kind to her, her mistress was the same
Then along came a sailor happy as can be
And he was the cause of all her misery
He asked her for a hanky to tie around his head
He asked her for a candle to light his way to bed
And she like the foolish maid thinking of no harm
Crawled into bed with him to keep that sailor warm.

[humming]
[speaking]
I forgot a verse there, but I'll continue on.
[singing]

Forgive me my darling for the harm that I have done
Now you may have a daughter or you may have a son
Now if you have a daughter, bounce her on your knee
And if you have a son, send the son of a gun to sea.
Singing bell-bottom trousers, coats in navy blue
He'll find the rigging like his Daddy used to do.
[speaking]

Well, that was the hell of an example of crooning, but Joey no doubt will get a kick out of it, so let me know what he says about it, and, once again, take of yourselves now, and I'll be home again pretty soon. And let me know what your, what little Peg has to say, she hasn't seen you in quite a while she says, so call her up and let her know you're home, or something. Well, I haven't got much time, more time left here, so I'll just say so long and love from me to all of you. Take it easy, Joe.

Text:

WILCOX-GAY RECORDIO DISC SLOW BURNING / TITLE/ RED LABEL BY ___ DATE ___ UL CHARLOTTE, MICH., U.S.A

Type: Printed
Location: Record

 

1st side Here's a song Joey! [By:] Jimmy

Type: Hand written
Location: Record

 

WILCOX-GAY RECORDIO DISC SLOW BURNING / TITLE/ RED LABEL BY ___ DATE ___ UL CHARLOTTE, MICH., U.S.A

Type: Printed
Location: Record

 

2nd side

Type: Hand written
Location: Record

 

312/1772 Sgt. J. [illeg.] Joyce Sqdn. I - 301st B.U. Drew Fld. - Tampa, Fla. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lepore 28, Adrian Street Somerville, Mass. RECORDING: PLEASE HANDLE CAREFULLY!

Type: Hand written
Location: Envelope

 

RECORDING!: PLEASE HANDLE CAREFULLY!!

Type: Hand written
Location: Envelope