In tandem
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Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons
We see a lot of cyclists, many in form-fitting lycra, training seriously on the hills around us, but we don’t often come across tandems. I understand that they’re not particularly difficult to ride but require great trust between the two parties using them.
The person at the front of the machine is called the Captain or the Pilot and is usually the heavier of the pair. The one at the back is known as the Stoker and provides extra power.
I worked with someone whose husband was keen to have a tandem. She was not so enthusiastic, being of slight build and generally not inclined to participate in any sport. I don’t remember the outcome of the discussion.
Returning on Friday morning from a ‘verification trip’ (don’t ask!) to the Post Office, we passed two tandems, which caused us to wonder if there was an event. As we didn’t see any more, we assumed these two couples were out for a relaxing ride through the countryside on an increasingly warm day.
I have been singing, ‘Daisy, Daisy,’ ever since!
Daisy, Daisy,
Give me your answer, do!
I’m half crazy
All for the love of you!
It won’t be a stylish marriage,
I can’t afford a carriage.
But you’ll look sweet upon the seat
Of a bicycle built for two!
The correct title is ‘Daisy Bell’ and is said to have been inspired by Daisy Greville, Countess of Warwick, who was one of a number of Edward VII’s mistresses.
Harry Dacre (1857-1922) was the pen name adopted by a British songwriter called Frank Dean. He moved to America after four years in Australia and took with him an early version of ‘Daisy Bell.’ He also took his bicycle and had to pay import duty on it. The legend is that his friend William Jerome remarked that it was fortunate he had not brought with him a bicycle built for two, for then he would have had to pay double the duty. Dacre was inspired by that comment to alter the words of his song to reflect a tandem. Written in 1892, it was recorded by Dan W. Quinn in 1893.
It is the chorus which is familiar. I don’t think I’ve ever heard the verses.
There is a flower within my heart, Daisy, Daisy!
Planted one day by a glancing dart,
Planted by Daisy Bell!
Whether she loves me or loves me not,
Sometimes it's hard to tell;
Yet I am longing to share the lot
Of beautiful Daisy Bell!
Daisy, Daisy,
Give me your answer, do!
I'm half crazy,
All for the love of you!
It won't be a stylish marriage,
I can't afford a carriage,
But you'll look sweet upon the seat
Of a bicycle built for two!
We will go "tandem" as man and wife, Daisy, Daisy!
"Pedaling" away down the road of life,
I and my Daisy Bell!
When the road's dark we can both despise
Policeman and "lamps" as well;
There are "bright lights" in the dazzling eyes
Of beautiful Daisy Bell!
(Chorus)
I will stand by you in "wheel" or woe, Daisy, Daisy!
You'll be the bell(e) which I'll ring you know!
Sweet little Daisy Bell!
You'll take the "lead" in each "trip" we take,
Then if I don't do well;
I will permit you to use the brake,
My beautiful Daisy Bell!
Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons
That's one of the songs my grandmother would quietly sing, and I remember it well. At times she would adapt a song to where we lived, using local names.
ReplyDeleteLove this post Janice! I remember the chorus well...but, like you, I don't recall hearing the actual verses. My older sister and her husband had a tandem bicycle that they road for many years.
ReplyDeleteA group of us went to the Cape (Cape Cod) after we graduated high school. We rented bikes. The boy who took me to the prom rented a tandem. I was pedaling the back. Lots of fun.
ReplyDeleteThe e bikes came out after I retired from riding. That greatly disturbed me that I never got to ride an e bike.
ReplyDeleteThat tandem for six is unusual. I don't think I'd enjoy riding tandem.
ReplyDelete