| Historical Note | - This is the first of two printings
- the second, with an inset of Sophie Tucker, postdates November 23, 1918, when it was announced that she would take up the song. (There is no evidence that she actually performed it, however.) The “trench trot” was first a satirical phrase used by American troops in descriptions of life in the trenches. A novelty dance by that name was proposed as early as August 1917 and was promoted vigorously in June 1918 at the international convention of the International Dancing Masters’ Association, which also announced plans to send a dancing masters’ unit to France to teach new dance steps to the soldiers. Some controversy followed this proposal, which appears not to have been implemented.
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| Lyrics | The Trench Trot [Verse] How do you do, how do you do, Mister New Dance? How do you do, how do you do, Mister New Chance? To “Ball the Jack” with much propriety, To take a crack at high society. How do you do, how do you do, Mister New Tune? How do you do, how do you do, Mister Blue Tune? Jackies, khakies, ev’ryone’s turning it, You’ll be learning it soon. [Refrain] “Forward, march!” Don’t shake your shoulder, Just as stiff as starch, ‘cause you’re a soldier. Then it’s “One! Two! Three! Four!” (now don’t you trifle, he’s got a rifle) Do “Bout Face!” It seems so funny When you take your place, “Salute” your honey, then you “Right step!” and then you “Left step!” around about. Shout “Squads, right!” You cuddle close to her, and hold her tightly Till she gives you “As you were!” My honey, that’s the dance we’ll soon be twirlin’ When we get over to the town of Berlin, Trench trot, the little trench trot, Ev’rybody’s doin’ it now. [Verse] How do you do, how do you do, Mister War Dance? How do you do, how do you do, Mister War Prance? Just watch your step and don’t you hesitate, Just add some pep and try to syncopate. How do you do, how do you do, Mister Joy Tune? How do you do, how do you do, Soldier Boy Tune? Swing it, fling it, ev’ryone’s dancing it, You’ll be prancing it soon. [Verse] |
| Cover Description | - Two couples, each containing a uniformed soldier and a woman in ballroom gown, dancing, in front of a grid (trellis or window) with vines, art deco style
- diagonally across, in front, is a banner with photographic insets of Sophie Tucker and her 5 Kings of Syncopation. Black (1st printing) or blue (2nd printing) and red on white
- signed BC with monogram “H” in circle.
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Supplementary Document
