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When Grandmama Fell Off the Boat: The Best of Harry Graham
"When Grandmama fell off the boat, And couldn’t swim (and wouldn’t float), Matilda just stood by and smiled. I almost could have slapped the child."
When Grandmama Fell off the Boat is an anthology of the humorous verse of Harry Graham, one of the early 20th century’s wittiest writers. Graham made his name as the author of Ruthless Rhymes for Heartless Homes , published in 1898 under the pseudonym Col. D. Streamer (he was a Coldstream Guard). He went on to become a successful writer of stage-show lyrics, and in 1923 had five smash-hit musicals running simultaneously in the West End of London. His work was published not only in England but also in America, where he was credited with introducing "sick" verse. The Times in its 1936 obituary compared him with Edward Lear, Lewis Carroll, and W. S. Gilbert, an epitaph that has stood the test of time. Graham’s secret is his ability to relate common episodes with a sardonic twist. A father irritated by his crying infant finds peace and quiet by popping him in the Frigidaire and a man whose wife elopes with the chauffeur despairs of ever starting the car. His callous and quotable rhymes became the table talk of a generation, influencing emerging writers such as W. H. Auden, George Orwell, and Agatha Christie. Although the ever popular Ruthless Rhymes was republished in 1996, When Grandmama Fell Off The Boat remains the only comprehensive selection of Graham’s verse, compiled with the help of his daughter, Virginia. It contains Graham’s best his sharpest satire, his most readily remembered lines, and his humor at its darkest. This authorized anthology is elegantly designed, and the text is complemented by delightful and amusing period illustrations by Fish, Fougasse, and Ridgewell.
When Grandmama Fell off the Boat is an anthology of the humorous verse of Harry Graham, one of the early 20th century’s wittiest writers. Graham made his name as the author of Ruthless Rhymes for Heartless Homes , published in 1898 under the pseudonym Col. D. Streamer (he was a Coldstream Guard). He went on to become a successful writer of stage-show lyrics, and in 1923 had five smash-hit musicals running simultaneously in the West End of London. His work was published not only in England but also in America, where he was credited with introducing "sick" verse. The Times in its 1936 obituary compared him with Edward Lear, Lewis Carroll, and W. S. Gilbert, an epitaph that has stood the test of time. Graham’s secret is his ability to relate common episodes with a sardonic twist. A father irritated by his crying infant finds peace and quiet by popping him in the Frigidaire and a man whose wife elopes with the chauffeur despairs of ever starting the car. His callous and quotable rhymes became the table talk of a generation, influencing emerging writers such as W. H. Auden, George Orwell, and Agatha Christie. Although the ever popular Ruthless Rhymes was republished in 1996, When Grandmama Fell Off The Boat remains the only comprehensive selection of Graham’s verse, compiled with the help of his daughter, Virginia. It contains Graham’s best his sharpest satire, his most readily remembered lines, and his humor at its darkest. This authorized anthology is elegantly designed, and the text is complemented by delightful and amusing period illustrations by Fish, Fougasse, and Ridgewell.
- GenresPoetry
160 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 1986
About the author
Harry Graham
169 books3 followersJocelyn Henry Clive "Harry" Graham was an English writer known for his darkly humorous verse, journalism, and lyric writing for operettas and musical comedies. Initially serving as an officer in the Coldstream Guards, he later became a full-time writer. His Ruthless Rhymes, published under the pseudonym [link=Col. D. Streamer|24069698], remain his most famous work, showcasing his talent for grotesque humor and wordplay. He also wrote lyrics for successful stage productions, including The Maid of the Mountains and English adaptations of operettas like The Land of Smiles. His best-known lyrics include You Are My Heart’s Delight and Goodbye.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 5, 2024
Clever and witty.
October 1, 2011
The author of 'Ruthless Rhymes' is presented here in a sort of 'best of'. And without doubt they are the best as they are the wittiest and most telling verses that he wrote.
The word ruthless fits most of them for, memorable as they are, they portray black humour all along the way. And they are brilliant.
Anyone who has let Harry Graham pass them by should address this book and have a try. You won't regret it!
The word ruthless fits most of them for, memorable as they are, they portray black humour all along the way. And they are brilliant.
Anyone who has let Harry Graham pass them by should address this book and have a try. You won't regret it!
April 9, 2009
This has to be one of my favorite books of poetry (it totally counts). I remember picking it off my mothers bookshelf when I was 8 or 9 and I haven't given it back since.
May 3, 2010
Just lots of very silly, sometimes macabre rhymes written in the 20's and 30's
November 30, 2014
A childhood favourite
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews