The Band Played On – On the Rocks

by Palmer and Ward – Key of A

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 2/4 time, while the chorus is in 3/4 (waltz) time. The chorus is much better known than the verses to later generations.

Casey would waltz with a strawberry blonde, and the band played on.
He’d glide ‘cross the floor with the girl he adored, and the band played on.

But his brain was so loaded it nearly exploded;
The poor girl would shake with alarm.
He’d marry the girl with the strawberry curl, and the band played on.

129. BAND PLAYED ON 1895 |
CASEY WOULD WALTZ
WITH THE STRAWBERRY BLOND,
AND THE BAND PLAYED ON.
HE WOULD GLIDE ‘CROSS THE FLOOR
WITH THE GIRL HE ADORED,
AND 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 CURL,
AND THE BAND PLAYED ON.