The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze

"The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze"
The subject of the song, Jules Léotard
Music by	Gaston Lyle, Alfred Lee
Lyrics by	George Leybourne
Published	1867
Language	English

"The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze", originally published under the title "The Flying Trapeze" and also known as "The Man on the Flying Trapeze" , is a very well-known 19th century popular song about a flying trapeze circus performer, Jules Léotard. The melody and words of its central refrain are instantly recognisable:

He'd fly through the air with the greatest of ease,

That daring young man on the flying trapeze.

The song was first published in 1867, with words written by the British lyricist and singer, George Leybourne, with music by Gaston Lyle, and arranged by Alfred Lee. The lyrics were based on the phenomenal success of trapeze artist Jules Léotard. The 3/4 time tune may have been based on Jacques Offenbach's Le Papillon, Act 2, Scene 1.^{[citation needed]}

Literature

The following century, the song inspired the breakthrough 1934 short story The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze by William Saroyan. The film Man on the Flying Trapeze came out in 1935, starring W. C. Fields and Mary Brian.

Recordings

Comedian Walter O'Keefe was the first to record the song, in 1934. It became his theme song whenever he appeared on radio or television. It was also recorded by Don Redman & His Orchestra (1936), The Chipmunks, Eddie Cantor, Burl Ives, Cliff "Ukelele Ike" Edwards, Spike Jones (with lyrics thoroughly trashed), Ian Whitcomb, Les Paul & Mary Ford, Crispin Hellion Glover, and Bruce Springsteen (with a couple of F-bombs inserted), among others.

Cinema

A version was performed by the Our Gang (Little Rascals) kids as the International Silver String Submarine Band in the 1934 short film Mike Fright. A second Our Gang rendition, by Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer, was later included in the 1939 short Clown Princes.

The passengers on the bus sang the song in the 1934 Frank Capra film It Happened One Night. American actor and musician Crispin Glover covered the song on his 1989 album, The Big Problem ≠ The Solution. The Solution = Let It Be. The song was also the basis of the 1934 Popeye the Sailor musical carton, aptly titled The Man on the Flying Trapeze.

In The Bridges at Toko-Ri the USS Savo Island's band plays the refrain while Mickey Rooney's character (CPO Mike Forney) is being transferred via highline to a ship alongside.

Published versions

• 1868 version in Levy Sheet Music Collection
• July 11, 1874 broadside ^[1]
• Rise Up Singing page 80

References