Arthur Pryor Band - The Whistler and His Dog (1913)

The Whistler and His Dog
Music by Arthur Pryor
Arthur Pryor's Band
Whistling by Harry MacDonough and S. H. Dudley
Recorded May 6, 1913, Camden New Jersey
Victor 17380
Arthur Willard Pryor (1870 -- 1942) was a trombone virtuoso, bandleader, and soloist with the Sousa Band. He was a prolific composer of band music, his best known composition being "The Whistler and His Dog". He played his first solo with the Sousa Band at age 22 during the World's Colombian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. During his 12 years with the Sousa Band, Pryor estimated that he played 10,000 solos. From 1895 to 1903 Pryor was assistant conductor of the Sousa Band. After leaving the Sousa Band, he formed his own band, which made its debut at the Majestic Theatre in New York City on November 15, 1903. The Pryor Band toured until 1909, when he decided to settle down and make Asbury Park, New Jersey the home of the band. Also at this time he became a staff conductor and arranger for the Victor Talking Machine Company in Camden, New Jersey. For 25 seasons Pryor played summers at Asbury Park and spent his winters performing in Miami, Florida. He retired from music in 1933 and entered politics serving one term on the board of freeholders of Monmouth County, New Jersey. He came out of retirement to return to the Asbury Park boardwalk for a nightly series of concerts when he unexpectedly died at the age of 71 in 1942.
Pryor's most popular composition was "Whistler and his Dog", written in 1905. Inspired by his boyhood pet bulldog named Roxy, the song included a very popular whistling strain and ended with a dog bark. In time Pryor got so tired of requests to play it that he wrote a piece called "Sammy and his Missouri Mule" which he hoped would take some of the attention from it. But Sammy had a whistling part too!

[@heatheryovanoff7101]

My Dad, about 65 years ago, used to whistle this to me, by sister and brother - all of us sitting on his knee by the fire. We waited in anticipation for the end bit when we played the dogs and barked in excitement. Happy days. What I'm wondering now is how did my dad know the tune as he was deaf and had been since birth. Great memories. Thanks.

[@nfwriter9999]

That is a really good question. Maybe he lied to you and his hearing was fine all along? My dad was deaf from age 19 on, before which he had been a prodigy on the piano. You could definitely tell. He couldn't whistle, and when he attempted to sing it waa various degrees of funny and heartbreaking.

[@thechucke.network3803]

This was for Clifford In the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade From 1990 to 1995

[@ernjuani]

What a cool story, Heather.

[@micke7]

It took you 65 years come up with that quesxion?

[@angelkotilainen]

That's so cool! I used to sell equipment for deaf people and I discovered some can "hear" through their feet or hands, it's really incredible. Just an example, I sold a deaf since birth man a tv that had to have a thick stand that touched the ground, his bedroom was in a basement so it had a concrete floor, matched with the tv he could put music video's on and listen perfectly through his feet on the floor. I think if we have no hearing or lose it, our other senses can take over. Your dad sounds like such a sweet heart, those are amazing memories! ♥

[@donnastapley1346]

My grandfather had this record. As a young child, when we visited, I always requested him to play it. Sheer delight, from such a simple thing. Such wonderful, treasured memories!

[@dinashroff8752]

Very nostalgic! Reminds me of my childhood . I am nearly 90 now !

[@franky528]

GodBless you my friend. I’ll be 67 the end of May I should be so lucky!😊 Stay well🙏

[@alfonsomunoz8788]

In the 1950”s I use to play this song with my piccolo, as part of my hometown band in Costa Rica. Nice memories!

[@BalooSSgt]

I heard this song once when I was three, during a dog show on TV. Ever since I have been trying to learn the name of this tune and only stumbled upon this today. Yay!

[@MrScuto]

same, been 20 years x.x

[@レオのまま]

子供の頃聴いたレコードで一番好きになった曲です。 残念ながらその一枚は従兄弟に譲られてしまい自分でプレイヤーにかけて聴いたのは1年くらいでずっと探していました。 楽器で演奏されることが多いけれどこの曲は口笛でメロディを奏でるのが一番いいし最後の方で犬が吠えるのを楽しみにしています。 楽しい演奏をありがとうございます♪

[@cleveparker8042]

My grandmother had this record and I loved playing it on her windup Victrola when I was a kid!

[@waynejones205]

I first heard this in Lakewood NJ via the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra. I didn't know it at the time, just the song EVERYONE wanted to hear!! This was around 1990. Now I know why!! ❤

[@smithsonian2464]

My university concert band is playing this and the conductor has those who aren’t playing in the piccolo solo whistling along with her, it’s so fun.

[@lizdoyle7158]

WHAT A SUPER FAB TUNE VERY CATCHY 🐕🐕🐕 ONCE YOU HEAR IT YOU START HUMMING ALONG 🎵🎵🎵

[@JuanBernardoIrigoyen]

Este es un homenaje canino-musical de los comienzos del siglo pasado , en 1913 Arthur Pryor lo publicó y lo grabó en discos para ser escuchado con gramófono (Victrola y otros) y lo interpretó en vivo con su propia banda en varios lugares de los Estados Unidos. Este excelente video, actúa como una máquina del tiempo por las vistas que muestra y el buen gusto en la compaginación. "El silbador y su perro" fue escrito en 1905 y quedó en la historia como toda una curiosidad musical asociada a los hermosos canes.

[@chaydee7058]

Juan Bernardo Irigoyen ¡Precioso! Realmente un volver al pasado!

[@JuanBernardoIrigoyen]

C haydeé Gracias por tus palabras, besos.

[@AB-ye7bw]

Had this tune stuck in my head forever! Had no idea what the name was Or anything else about it. Finally, technology allowed me to hum/ whistle (poorly) into my iPhone and Ta-Da! My personal mystery solved!

[@Amanda-kz5fs]

Me too....delighted to put a name to it..

[@kimesing3397]

Pryor's band was so spectacular.

[@daniellesimone0]

That's a tin whistle and someone whistling along with it. Remarkable that they're so close in pitch!

[@bsgs98]

Wingnut The instrument might be a piccolo. Harry MacDonough and S. H. Dudley are the human whistlers.

[@yosefdemby8792]

Charlie Brisette, a music supervisor on Ren and Stimpy, adapted this piece for the episode "Man's Best Friend", as well as "Dog Show" and "Monkey See Monkey Don't".

[@tcbevolver]

Love seeing Spanky & the gang again...

[@Romany1111]

Mister Softee jingle based on this!

[@Undercoverelevator212-s2n]

Yep, In Memory Of Les Waas, ?-April 2016

[@Windows-nm3zd]

Ya I agree because of the beginning

[@Windows-nm3zd]

Also Charlie Brown is in it

[@angelkotilainen]

I've never heard this, thanks for the upload! Barry Humphries of Dame Edna fame said his father would whistle this tune. Had to check it out!

[@davidrohlfing9055]

Al Melgard would play the opening bars of this song at Chicago Stadium during Black Hawk games when the referee and linesmen would come out before each period and skate around the rink. He also would play "Three Blind Mice" at times

[@Trombonology]

A delightful bit of whimsy! Being a devoted pal to a pair of Jack Russell terriers, I enjoyed this presentation immensely.

[@geofbrit59]

Love this song and video. I have seen this song but never bought it. Now I know that I like it I will have to get it.

[@doctorgrowl]

This would have been recorded during the period when my uncle Victor Moore played trumpet (yes, trumpet, not cornet) with Pryor's band in Miami, but he wouldn't be on this recording, which was made in New Jersey.

[@paulopintofilho]

Russa querida! ❤😊 adorei o tema do vídeo, daí fui pesquisar e encontrei algo diferente do que você comentou 😅. Consegue nos ajudar a entender? O quê encontrei: A vinheta de abertura do programa "Silvio Santos" usa a música chamada **"Silvio Santos Vem Aí"**. Esta canção é baseada na melodia de "The Whistler and His Dog", uma peça composta por Arthur Pryor em 1905. A versão adaptada para o programa tem a letra "Lá, lá, lá, lá, lá, lá, lá... Silvio Santos vem aí!" e se tornou icônica no Brasil, associada ao apresentador e seu programa desde os anos 1970. A música original, "The Whistler and His Dog," é uma marcha ligeira e animada, e a versão com a letra adaptada foi criada especificamente para o programa do Silvio Santos, ganhando enorme popularidade ao longo dos anos.

[@pawwalker3492]

Officer Joe Bolton's theme song 💗

[@rgraz4929]

Good memory! I remember every day after school around 4 or 5 on channel 11 WPIX.

[@pawwalker3492]

@@rgraz4929 - YES!

[@thetoycollectorofseville6428]

The Mr Softee ice cream truck jingle was inspired by this.

[@kentcrutcher8285]

Learned of this music in Laurens van der Post’s book, “A Story like the Wind.”

[@hollieboptv2996]

just found this gramaphone in the attic :)

[@davidjacobs8558]

in late 1970's and early 1980's, this music was frequently heard in South Korean Television, because it was used in commericial for a drug company. so most Koreans who lived at the time heard of it, even if they don't know the title.

[@Magicleafmercer]

I have this record and it's a pretty fun song!

[@hoopiedoo]

Fantastic!

[@BaltoJerseyGuy]

The theme song for Officer Joe Bolton's kids' show in NYC, circa 1960s.

[@Undercoverelevator212-s2n]

On the contrary, it is the original song that was based upon the Mr. Softee Ice Cream Truck Jingle/Song.

[@rgraz4929]

That's right. After school. Around 4 or 5? I can still smell the baked potatoes cooking and whatever Mom was making for dinner when Officer Joe was on. We had Pied Piper Ice Cream trucks in our area.. no song.. just the 4 bells in a row on the pull cord. The best ice cream.

[@GereDJ2]

Yup, catchy tune. It's the simplest stuff that endures.

[@hoopiedoo]

I accidentally sat on this record 50 years ago, and was grounded for a week! I have a collection of 300 78 rpms to this day. But no Whistler!

[@emilieimbecile2060]

We're off to Cuddly Dudley's house

[@Engelbird]

well hello fellow chicagoan

[@philiphumphreys877]

Have a recording of this by the H.M Royal marines Plymouth, under the batton of Rickets

[@danielarick2105]

The "Warblers' Serenade",is the flip side also by Pryor.

[@christiansmith1713]

Thomas Merton mentions this tune in a journal entry, Dec. 4th 1964.

[@asorls1]

I think Office Joe Boulton used this on his show.

[@falcngnzx2]

The Little Rascals/Our Gang

[@Robbi496]

an AM Radio Station in Chicago (WAIT) used to play this for a commercial for lost pets in the 1960's

[@miscman58]

Sponsored by Kal Kan (Pedigree) dog food products

[@davidmatthews631]

What Laurie Lee played on the violin on his way to Spain.

[@scotian2810]

I remember Dad having this on a 78. I use to listen to it a lot when I was little. I always assumed the dog got shot at the end of it. It was a traumatizing song for me.

[@benjtuffier2552]

This tune can be heard on Main Street USA, Disneyland ! 😃

[@DOCTORJAN714]

Good Humor and Mr. Softee based their prerecorded ice cream truck music jingle on this tune.

[@kathleenfowler8297]

Buckwheat did this in the Little Rascals

[@Laura-6887]

Kathleen Fowler I remember that, lol was cute

[@katphish4186]

Yeah I remember that one,they were in a radio talent contest and the freely butch

[@finnainsley9088]

I’m here because of Mr.Softees icecream

[@oldbeatpete]

my dad (5/2/13) was a big whistler ..

[@bronysimpson3250]

The Little Rascals sent me here.

[@bfdimatch6711]

mr softee anybody

[@Undercoverelevator212-s2n]

Oh Yeah, The Very Best!

[@UkesterBrown]

Dandy Bill!

[@HarborGuy]

Great final lol

[@mojanke]

Professor van Dusen =)

[@marina300]

[@jamesechevarria5428]

Mr Softee

[@pheart2381]

Im not cheating,I am actually whistling it!

[@jimaspholm6296]

My Clown Song and Grand Innaguration theme!

[@RenStimpyProductionMusic]

"Hello! I'm George Liquor.... American!"

[@1guy2plumers54]

“Yes sir, I’ll make ‘em champions! Worthy of the name *LIQUOR!* “

[@agomez4814]

cuddly Dudley.

[@Undercoverelevator212-s2n]

I got lyrics! The Creamiest Dreamiest Soft Ice Cream You Get From Mr. Softee For A Refreshing Delight Supreme, Look For Mr. Softee My Milkshakes & My Sundaes & My Cones Are Such A Treat Listen For My Store On Wheels Ding-A-Ling Down The Street The Creamiest Dreamiest Soft Ice Cream You Get From Mr. Softee For A Refreshing Delight Supreme, Look For Mr. Softee S-O-F-T Double E, Mr. Softee

[@Undercoverelevator212-s2n]

Theeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Creamiest Dreamiest Soft Ice Cream My Cones Are Such A Treat Listen For My Store On Wheels Ding-A-Ling Down The Street The Creamiest Dreamiest Soft Ice Cream My Cones Are Such A Treat S-O-F-T Double E, Mister Softee

[@wendygronnestad2975]

Bands of that era did not have accompaning tin whistles.....the accompaning instrument to the whistle is a picccolo, or at worst a fife in F.

[@alwolpert8216]

Public domain heaven!

[@MrDjh66]

Mr softee