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A song about a man giving up his larrikin gang (push) lifestyle for the love of his woman (donah).
Notes
This song was written especially for English variety performer E. J. 'Teddy' Lonnen during his 1892 engagement with the Gaiety Burlesque Company. According to correspondence in Smith's Weekly in 1920, Lonnen had previously scored hits with several coster songs (including 'Mrs 'Enery 'Awkins' and 'Knock 'Em in the Old Kent Road') and was looking for something with a local flavour. Bert Royle, himself recently arrived from England and in the employment of J. C. Williamson, wrote the lyrics to Lovell's music and the song was first performed in a burlesque during the Gaiety company's season ('On and Off.' Smith's Weekly 17 Jan. 1920, p. 20; and 31 Jan. 1920, p. 20). It is unclear whether the song had been published prior to the 1905 W.H. Paling's edition.
'I've Chucked up the Push for the Donah' was later performed as part of the live soundtrack to the The Sentimental Bloke during its 1919/1920 New Zealand screenings (ctd. 'On and Off.' Smith's Weekly 31 Jan. 1920, p. 20). It is unclear if the song was also performed as an accompaniment to any of the Australian screenings.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Cover: 'Colonial performing rights reserved to Messsrs Williams & Musgrove'.
Cover: 'Sung with enormous success by Mr E. J. Lonnen of the London Gaiety Co.'
Lyrics to the song are available through Warren Faye's Sydney Folklore Project. See City Life [Section 14: City Life - Songs].
On and Off1920single work column — Appears in:
Smith's Weekly,31 January1920;(p. 20)Two pars relating to the use of the song "I've Chucked Up the Push for the Donah" in screenings of The Sentimental Bloke.
On and Off1920single work column — Appears in:
Smith's Weekly,17 January1920;(p. 20)A reference to the use of the song "I've Chucked Up the Push for the Donah" in screenings of The Sentimental Bloke.
On and Off1920single work column — Appears in:
Smith's Weekly,17 January1920;(p. 20)A reference to the use of the song "I've Chucked Up the Push for the Donah" in screenings of The Sentimental Bloke.
On and Off1920single work column — Appears in:
Smith's Weekly,31 January1920;(p. 20)Two pars relating to the use of the song "I've Chucked Up the Push for the Donah" in screenings of The Sentimental Bloke.
