The verse shown refers to a tune published as "The Streets of Cairo or
The Poor Little Country Maid", copyright 1895 by James Thornton, which
has a rich history of confusion and parody.
In my childhood the children sang, "There's a place in France where
the ladies wear no pants" to the tune, and that is to what your bit
refers. I have no idea what fevered brain composed your lines,
however. For the history and an audio clip see:
http://www.gildedserpent.com/articles3/streets-of-cairo.htm
Karl Petersen
Washington, Illinois
[ Good work, Karl. The Gilded Serpent web page says that the song
[ was performed at the Chicago World's Columbian Exposition of
[ 1893. Here is a short quote: "One of its attractions, called
[ Streets Of Cairo, included the famous dancer Little Egypt, snake
[ charmers, camel rides, and other exciting things to entertain
[ turn-of-the-century fair-goers. ... It was the performance of Little
[ Egypt that brought the "hoochy koochy" dance into the North America
[ entertainment world."
[
[ The sheet music of "Streets of Cairo", by James Thornton, may be
[ viewed and downloaded at the "Lester S. Levy Collection of Sheet
[ Music" at http://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu/advancedsearch.html
[ -- Robbie
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