Gilly, Gilly, Ossenfeffer, Katzenellen Bogen by the Sea
"Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzenellen Bogen by the Sea" is a popular song written by Al Hoffman and Dick Manning and published in 1954. It was a hit in 1954 in both the United States and United Kingdom, for different artists.
The Four Lads
The best-known version in the United States was recorded by The Four Lads with teenage girls Lillian Pasciolla and others on February 27, 1954.
The recording by The Four Lads was released in the US by Columbia Records as catalog number 40236. It first reached the Billboard Best Seller chart on July 3, 1954, peaking at #18.[1]
Max Bygraves version
The best-known version in the United Kingdom is by Max Bygraves, also recorded in 1954. Max Bygraves' version was recorded on 23 June 1954 with a children's chorus and orchestra directed by Frank Cordell, and released in the UK by HMV as catalog number B 10734. It entered the UK chart on 10 September 1954. It spent eight weeks on the chart, peaking at #7. The "Children" were from the Italia Conti school, which was just off Piccadilly Circus at the time.
Media
The song is frequently featured in the game known as "One Song to the Tune of Another" in the long-running radio panel show, I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue.
Heino Gaze has written the German lyrics. The German title is identical with the original title. Bibi Johns und Die Starlets, Franz Thon und das Tanzorchester des NWDR, Hamburg, recorded it in Hamburg on September 5, 1954. The song was released by Electrola as catalog number EG 8116.
The song was sung by Dennis Day and the Sportsmen Quartet on the Jack Benny Show 28 September 1952. [Generic Radio Workshop OTR Script:Jack Benny Show. High Noon Sept 28, 1952] The Audio File does not contain this song.
