PRINCESS POO-POO-LY HAS PLENTY PA-PA-YA
© 1940
Lyrics & Music: Doug Renolds, Don McDiarmid. Long credited to Harry Owens, but see the information received from Don McDiarmid, Jr. below:
"This song was written on the spot, at a party in Haleiwa by Doug Renolds with help from
my Dad (Don McDiarmid), who happened to be there. It was published by Harry Owens. Renolds later sued
Owens, and won his case, and ended up selling his rights to Harry Owens for a nice piece of change. My Dad
never claimed any part of the song but any reader of the lyrics can easily recognize his style. I was told
the sheet music came out with Harry's name on it."
McDiarmid is correct, the song has been credited to Owens for decades. Many Hawaiian songs are credited to their publishers,
especially Johnny Noble, who published many songs that were traditional or composed by others, under his name. But
he also did give writing credit in several instances to the bandleader or performer who popularized the song,
succh as Ted Fiorito.
Sheet Music:
Recordings:
CS: Various, Keep your Eyes On the Hands (Waikiki WC-305)
CD: Harry Owens Harry Owens and His Royal Hawaiians (BCCD 341)
Naughty Abby and John K. Almeida, Lovely Hula Hands (HOCD 42000)
Princess Pupule has plenty papayas
She loves to give them away
And all of the neighbors they say
Oh me-ya oh my-ya you really should try-ya
A little piece of the Princess Pupule's papayas
Zazza zazza zazza zazza zay
Princess Pupule's not truly unruly
To pass out papayas each day
But all of the neighbors they say
She may give you the fruit but she hang on to the root
And so she has the fruit and the root to boot
Zazza zazza zazza zazza zay
(alternate lyric after 'they say':
The sample is ample, and so is the source
She'll break her an acre and grow more of course)
One bright Sunday afternoon
It was field day in her papaya groves
But I reached the gate an hour too late
The customers were lined up in droves
So let this be a warning
Go early in the morning
And it is true you'll never rue the day
The Princess Pupule has plenty papayas
She loves to give it away
I mean papayas
She loves to give them away
Mahalo to Larry W. Jones for the sheet music image.
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