Knees Up Mother Brown
Encyclopedia
"Knees Up Mother Brown" is a song, published in 1938, by when it had already been known for some years. It dates to at least 1918 and appears to have been sung widely in London
on 11 November of that year, Armistice Night
, at the end of the First World War. The 1938 version was attributed to Bert Lee
, Harris Weston and I Taylor.
The song became popular in English
public houses and was particularly associated with Cockney
culture. During the Second World War it was performed frequently by Elsie and Doris Waters. The expression "knees up" came to mean a party or a dance. The tune has been adopted by football fans for various chants, most recognisably with the words "Who Ate All the Pies?
". It was also the inspiration for the song "Step in Time" written by the Sherman Brothers
for the Walt Disney
film Mary Poppins
. According to Richard Sherman, the dance was taught to Walt Disney, Tony Walton
, and others and the Sherman Brothers witnessed them doing the dance and got the idea for "Step in Time".
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
on 11 November of that year, Armistice Night
Armistice Day
Armistice Day is on 11 November and commemorates the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compiègne, France, for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front of World War I, which took effect at eleven o'clock in the morning—the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day...
, at the end of the First World War. The 1938 version was attributed to Bert Lee
Bert Lee
Bert Lee was an English songwriter. He wrote for music hall and the musical stage, often in partnership with R. P. Weston.Lee was born 11 June 1880 in Ravensthorpe, Yorkshire, England....
, Harris Weston and I Taylor.
The song became popular in English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
public houses and was particularly associated with Cockney
Cockney
The term Cockney has both geographical and linguistic associations. Geographically and culturally, it often refers to working class Londoners, particularly those in the East End...
culture. During the Second World War it was performed frequently by Elsie and Doris Waters. The expression "knees up" came to mean a party or a dance. The tune has been adopted by football fans for various chants, most recognisably with the words "Who Ate All the Pies?
Who Ate All the Pies?
"Who Ate All the Pies?" is a football chant sung by fans in Britain. It is usually sung to the tune of "Knees Up Mother Brown" and is aimed at overweight footballers, officials or opposing supporters.-Background and origin:...
". It was also the inspiration for the song "Step in Time" written by the Sherman Brothers
Sherman Brothers
The Sherman Brothers are an American songwriting duo that specialize in musical films, made up of Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman ....
for the Walt Disney
Walt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon, and philanthropist, well-known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. Along with his brother Roy O...
film Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins (film)
Mary Poppins is a 1964 musical film starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, produced by Walt Disney, and based on the Mary Poppins books series by P. L. Travers with illustrations by Mary Shepard. The film was directed by Robert Stevenson and written by Bill Walsh and Don DaGradi, with songs by...
. According to Richard Sherman, the dance was taught to Walt Disney, Tony Walton
Tony Walton
Tony Walton is an English set and costume designer.Walton was born in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, England, United Kingdom. He began his career in 1957 with the stage design for Noel Coward's Broadway production of Conversation Piece. Throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s he designed for the New...
, and others and the Sherman Brothers witnessed them doing the dance and got the idea for "Step in Time".