The land of I don't know where

My mother used to sing this to us, but no-one I know has ever heard of it. Does anyone else known it? (And the correct tune?)

"There's a land unknown to the wise men's books
And it's never been seen by the men from Cook's.
Children go to this unknown clime
When they've been to a party or a pantomime.
They just fall asleep and fly off in their dreams
To the land where the trees grow chocolate creams
And there's no-one surprised at these wonderful things
Because they're ruled by a golliwog king.
Where is the land of I don't know where?
Sleep is the driver who'll take you there.
You just climb in his cart
And away you start
And he won't ask much for the fare.
And when you get to the land of I don't know where
Don't be surprised at the wonders there.
A blue moon on high
And pigs that can fly
Where? - I don't know where."

There's a 2nd verse as well, but I reckon that's enough to be going on with! I'd be grateful for any help identifying this.

Thanks, Carole (London)

Comments for The land of I don't know where

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Jun 14, 2023
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Message to Lucille P
by: Anonymous

Sorry I can't help you. The copy I bought is identical to the website you referenced.

Jun 14, 2023
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Can I Join Your Group? NEW
by: Lucille P

Perhaps this is the best place to explain why. I requested the group on Facebook already.
I want to join because I want a copy of the first page specifically because the digitized copy at NLA (https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2881549768) has a not very well-scanned first page that blocks certain measures. This is for a playback file.
I know you got your copy from NLA but I just want to compare.
I'm also interested in the subject of the group and old music hall songs.

Nov 23, 2022
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Good to see more comments
by: Carole

For all those who remember this song as part of their childhood, there is a closed Facebook Group where we compare memories and information about the song. I have a copy of the original sheet music. You can find the group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/361137590649275

Nov 23, 2022
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I know this song NEW
by: Anonymous

My nan used to sing this to me in the sixties

Jan 01, 2021
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Search I have attempted
by: Beverley Wood (Mr)

Hallo, everyone. I have scrolled through hundreds of early Regal Records in an attempt to find "The Land Of I Dunno Where" and "The Island Of Do As You Please". I am afraid I have not been successful, even though I have looked through several different lists. Of course, these lists did not represent records for sale or, for that matter, to download, even. So, for the time being, I will have to leave things open. I can remember the melodic line for both of these songs - so am willing to play something on my violin for people to sing the words to - if they have them. - maybe manage an accompaniment as well. One verse has already been contributed as you can see! Bye for now - and all the best. Bev.

Jan 01, 2021
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Regal Gramophone Record
by: Beverley Wood (Mr)

Hallo, I am very sorry to say that I had the record of this song - and on the other side was "The Island Of Do-as-you-please. It was an extremely old REGAL pre-electric record and I do not know how it vanished. I Can help a little with the tune as I can remember it quite clearly although I might get one or two notes wrong. I don`t know the best way of doing this - but -for now - If I give you my e mail address and play the melody on my violin and put it on to a CD or DVD - perhaps we can take it from there.
My "address" is darkgreenambulance@gmail.com That is because I once had a vehicle of that description which I bought from the Essex Cadet Regiment - but only used it for private transport! All the best Beverley Wood.

Apr 08, 2020
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Land of I dont know where NEW
by: Anonymous

My grandmother used to sign it to me.

Her son my uncle had it sung by a young girl at his funeral

Eric

Sep 22, 2019
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Childhood memory NEW
by: Anonymous

Having just had my Thomas Cook holiday ruined by their possible collapse I remembered this song for one line " and it’s never been seen from the man from Cooks." I was a small child in the 1950s and my piano teacher discovered I could sing and bought me a book of songs. This was the first one in the book and I loved it, sang it all the time and annoyed the decorator who was painting the outside of our house.
Thanks for the memory as they say.

Feb 28, 2019
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Memory's of my much loved Gramdna
by: Sue P.

My Grandma used to sing me to sleep with this little song from as early as I can remember and I've never heard it since, I'm 50 next week and she would be 114 years old if she was with us today, thankyou so much for this, I've looked for it for years with no luck and suddenly I can re-read those wonderful words again, what a lovely birthday present! I can hear my Grandma singing it in my ear like it was yesterday, such a precious memory. I can now sing the full version to my great nephews and nieces as they go to sleep. Thankyou again
Sue P.

Sep 10, 2018
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Wonderful Memories NEW
by: Karen

Thank you all for these contributions.My Granny sang this to us when we were little,I'm now 63!I was recently blessed with a Grandchild & while soothing him found myself singing the chorus of this lovely song...I had completely forgotten about it.Thank you again.

Oct 30, 2017
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More info about the song NEW
by: Anonymous

How lovely to see another person with memories of the song. We have a Facebook page (it's a closed group for privacy) where contributors have put more information about it, including where you can get the sheet music and a link to a recording. Find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/361137590649275/
Best wishes, Carole

Oct 28, 2017
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love this song NEW
by: Anonymous

My Mum used to sing this to us when my sister and I were little. I am now 65 and have always remembered it. I only know the first verse and ws delighted to find out there are others. I would love to hear it again to check I have the tune right. My daughter loves it too. My Mums family came from Manchester but with Welsh grandparents on one side of the family.

Mar 26, 2017
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Second verse that I know! NEW
by: Lawrence Turner.

I was sung this as a small child by my mother who was born in 1905 and had it sung to her by her mother. When my grandchildren came along I asked my mother to write it down, which she did!
I now sing this to get them to sleep but my second verse is different to the one I read at the start.
My second verse is as follows:-

There are soldiers too, there are non so good
They are strangers to fear cos their made of wood
A general leads that heroic force
Riding gayley off to battle on a rocking horse.
They don't go to school, that shows they have some sense
If you mention the word, well that's an offence
And the word holiday in the books can't be found
Cos it's holiday all year round.

Good luck so interesting that this is now on the net as it wasn't a few years ago when I first looked!

Chorus (changed slightly from the first time)
Where is the land of I don't know where
Sleep is the driver to take you there
Climb in his cart and away you'll start
And he won't charge much for the fare
When you get to the land of I don't know where
Don't be surprised at the wonders there


The hardest sum you do is twice one is two
Where, I don't know where.

Mar 20, 2017
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A bit more of Land of I don't know where NEW
by: caraferine

As much as I can remember, second verse

There are houses too, and the walls they make
Are a mixture of ginger and birthday cake
And if you pay a friendly call
They break you off a penneth of the nearest wall
They don't have the rain the same as we do here
For whenever it rains it rains, it rains ginger beer
You eat and you drink till you're quite satisfied
And you don't feel uncomfy inside

Sorry, there my memory gives out!

Dec 28, 2016
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land of i dunno where NEW
by: terry brns

great to find this after looking for so many years .as or mother sang it to us all our lives.aways asked her to write it down .bt she never got round to it.and she passed away 5 years ago so have been looking al that time .i would like the words of the other verse .many many thanks to you .you have made me very happy thank you once again .happy memories..terry.

Nov 20, 2016
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Amazing, I spent many years looking for this song NEW
by: David

I was beginning to think t was figment of my imagination after searching for it for years.
Just done a google search (again), and up it pops - amazing.
I learnt this aged 6/7 at my infant school in the Isle of Man circa1960.
I have always remembered it word perfect.

Nov 11, 2016
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Hear this sing on YouTube NEW
by: grahamAnonymous

Re my last comment on 2/11/16, it is necessary to first specify YouTube and then type jen latona land of I dunno where. Then just click on record cover. Regards Graham

Nov 02, 2016
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A recording at last! NEW
by: Anonymous

Dear Graham Anonymous,
Thank you very much indeed for this. We've been searching for a recording, but hadn't managed to find one. I shall post the link in our Facebook Group.
Best wishes, Carole Abrahams

Oct 26, 2016
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Hear this song on Utube NEW
by: graham Anonymous

If any contributors want to hear an old version of this song it can be googled,just key in:-
``jen latona land of I dunno where``

regards, Graham

Aug 02, 2016
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The Regal 10" record NEW
by: Beverley Wood (Mr)

Hi, I used to have a record of this song. It was a pre electric - and a very early one at that. The other side had "The Island Of Do As You Please". It started thus:- Every year we take a little holiday --- just a little holiday - down by the side of the sea -- All the single fellows - and the single ladies too -- go down ........ I have forgotten the rest except a bit of the chorus, I think it finishes with something like "Toodle loo -- it`s good bye from me to you from the Island of Do As You Please. I do remember the whole melody line and that for the other song as well. Unfortunately --somewhere along the line - the record disappeared and I have no recollection of it being broken -- so its a complete mystery. Very sorry -- It was one of my favourite records too -- been in my family from, possibly soon after the turn of the last century!

Aug 01, 2016
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Welcome NEW
by: Carole

Great to see another person has found this page. We have a small Facebook group for people who remember the song with love. https://www.facebook.com/groups/361137590649275/

Aug 01, 2016
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The Regal 19" record NEW
by: Anonymous

Hi, I used to have a record of this song. It was a pre electric - and a very early one at that. The other side had "The Island Of Do As You Please". It started thus:- Every year we take a little holiday --- just a little holiday - down by the side of the sea -- All the single fellows - and the single ladies too -- go down ........ I have forgotten the rest except a bit of the chorus, I think it finishes with something like "Toodle loo -- it`s good bye from me to you from the Island of Do As You Please. I do remember the whole melody line and that for the other song as well. Unfortunately --somewhere along the line - the record disappeared and I have no recollection of it being broken -- so its a complete mystery. Very sorry -- It was one of my favourite records too -- been in my family from, possibly soon after the turn of the last century!

Feb 20, 2016
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I have waited so long to hear this NEW
by: Clara

I have waited so long to hear this!
My mother sang this song to my siblings and I in the 1930s and I have been looking for it ever since.
She heard it from her mother (Irish) but I always thought it maybe something from JM Barrie. I have checked the net before and not found. Only because I am doing a calendar with this song as the theme that I decided to search.
Thanks everyone; Now need to find
Here's the Old Hag
With a Wig and a Wag
Who stole all the money the ever I had
Since I was a fair maid.

Feb 06, 2016
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The Land of I don't know where NEW
by: Liz

Just been singing this to my latest grand daughter, which prompted me to look up its origin. Never come across anyone else who knows it, but my mother learned it from her mother who was born in 1898. My maternal grandmothers family lived in The Channel Islands during the 1800's so thought it may have come from there.

Dec 06, 2015
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The land of I don't know where. NEW
by: Julie

I can't believe I've found this page. My grandfather used to sing it to me when we were out for walks. I thought I was the only one. What a coincidence.

Oct 27, 2015
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Vocal to song
by: Sam

Hi Ursula.

If you send me your email I can attach a rough copy of me singing it.

Sam

Oct 27, 2015
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the land of I don't know where
by: Anonymous

My Mother sang this to me as a child, and I sang it to my children, its a lovely lullaby.

Sep 05, 2015
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The land of I don't know where
by: Ursula Raymond D'Arcy

Yesterday I was sorting out some old letters and documents and I came across the words of this lovely lullaby. My Dad wrote the words for me when my son (now 36) was born. Dad used to sing it to us kids growing up in Dublin in the 50's.

I'd forgotten I still had the piece of paper with the words written. The memory was so powerful I could almost hear my dad singing it . Never heard anyone else sing it. I would love to hear it sung again, I can't get the melody right.
Would love to sing it for my grand kids so they can pass it on.

Jul 30, 2015
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A wonderful lullaby
by: Anonymous

Hello!

I would really love to get hold of the lyrics to this wonderful song as soon as possible as I have been asked to contribute a favourite lullaby from my childhood to a friend's baby book. I have asked to be included in the Facebook page but has no response yet. Does the page Sri exist and if not could someone please let me have a copy of the lyrics, that would be great. Thank you in advance. Sam

May 01, 2014
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Welcome SueBro
by: Anonymous

I'm delighted to find someone else who knows and loves this song. Please consider joining our little Facebook Group, where you can find out how to get the original words and music. The details are in my other responses to comments on this page.
Best wishes, Carole

Apr 30, 2014
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I know this as well!
by: SueBro

I never knew anyone else knew this song! My mother sang it to me, I sang it to my children, and my daughter has just asked me to remind her of the words, so she can sing it to her daughter!

My second verse is very different though

Apr 08, 2014
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Welcome Cherry
by: Carole

Dear Cherry you are welcome to join the Facebook group, where you can find out more about the song and the people who love it. You need to be on Facebook first of course. The group is here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/361137590649275/ and I have to approve requests to join it. The name of the FB group is "The Land of I-Dunno-Where". I look forward to seeing you there.
Carole

Apr 07, 2014
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May I Join Your Goup?
by: Cherry Burroughs

I was so pleased to see all the comments on this song. My mother (born 1920) and her mother and sister ( all gone now) used to sing it to me when I was a child. They were Welsh. I know the tune they sang, but not how to identify it here.

Apr 02, 2014
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So happy I found this!
by: Louise Hartfield

Thank you so much for putting this on, I've tried to find this song in vain for many years. My grandad spent many hours singing this to me & to be honest i thought he had made it up. So happy to know that the song lives on infact it's brought a tear to my eye thank you :-).

Louise -Herefordshire UK

Oct 30, 2013
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Origin
by: Carole

I'm so pleased you found this interesting. The song appears to have originally been written as a popular song, rather than as a lullaby. My sister and I have lovely memories of my mother singing it to us, and we both sang it to our children. We have set up a Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/361137590649275/ for people who love the song. It's a closed group, but if you say who you are then you will be welcome to join. It's very interesting to see the Canadian and Australian connections of the song.
Best wishes, Carole

Oct 29, 2013
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I can't believe it!
by: Anonymous

I can't believe there are so many people who know this song! My mother used to sing it to us as kids and I believe she learned from my gran other who came to Canada from Scotland . I do have the full words and the time because I now sing it to my son. I just googled this on a whim to see of its origins... Does anyone know?

Oct 25, 2013
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Hi Trudi
by: Anonymous

I am so pleased that this has helped you trace the song. I have bought a copy of the words and music from the National Library of Australia, which holds the copyright. A few of us who love this song have formed a Facebook group, and you are welcome to join if you like. It gives us a place to share our memories of having it sung to us as children. You can find the group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/361137590649275/
Best wishes, Carole

Oct 25, 2013
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I know this too
by: Trudi

I didn't think anyone knew this as it was taught to me by my father when I was a child. He and his sisters were taught it by my grandmother who learnt it whilst in an orphanage in Gillingham Kent and she didn't know where it came from.

We have asked several people if they knew it or had heard of it and no one had.

I have taught my children, but we only knew of the first verse and didn't know there were more verses and speaking to my Dad today he remembered there was another verse but cant remember the words, although he remembers something about gingerbread. My Dad is 85 now and was very surprised when I googled the words and this site came up, so was I.

Thank for putting this on the web as I tried a few years ago and didn't get any hits.

Aug 09, 2013
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Hi Anonymous Graham
by: Carole

Thanks for your comment. Please join our Facebook Group if you want to. It's quite fun to see that there are other people who have happy memories of this song being sung to them.

Aug 09, 2013
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Now have the sheet music, I dunno Where
by: Anonymous Graham 13/07/13

Like you, Carol, I have the sheet music of this song, from the National Australian Library in Melbourne. Such a helpful service. If anyone else requests it from them, The sheet music runs to 10 pages (photocopies) and costs $16.50 aus.dol, which is about £9.50 GBR. Regards to you all.

Jul 09, 2013
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Re: Yes there are more words
by: Carole

Hi Graham,

Good to read your contribution to this sharing of memories. I have set up a Facebook group for it, see https://www.facebook.com/groups/361137590649275/. We are a small group of adults who remember their mother or grandmother singing this to them. I've also been able to obtain a copy of the sheet music. If you want to get in touch, please use the Facebook page.

See you there, I hope.

Carole

Jul 09, 2013
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Yes there are more words
by: Anonymous (graham)

The 2nd verse (I think) is about the houses being made of sweets and birthday cake:-

So when you make a friendly call,
Just break me of a penneth of the nearest wall.
They don`t have the rain the same as we do here, for whenever it rains it rains of ginger beer.
So you eat and you drink `til you`re quite satisfied
And you don`t feel uncomfy inside.

At this point my memory fails me.
My mother was born in 1906 with 12 other siblings
and this is what her mother used to sing to her

Jun 22, 2013
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Re: Thank you
by: Carole

Dear anonymous, so pleased to remind you of this. If you want to join our Facebook Group, you will see more about people who also remember this song.

Jun 22, 2013
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Thank you!
by: Anonymous

Just come across this as my nanna used to sing since this song to me, and I now sing it to my 2 year old every night before bed! I didn't know all the words so this is great! Thank you!!!

Nov 16, 2012
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Contact
by: Carole

Hi Shelley, I've no other way of contacting you but I was thrilled to find someone else who knows the song. If you want to "meet" then I've created a Facebook Group called "The Land of I-Dunno-Where". It's here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/361137590649275/. So far the only members are my sister and me. It would be lovely if you and/or your mother joined.
Best wishes, Carole

Nov 13, 2012
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Welcome fans
by: Carole

I'm so delighted to find someone else who knows this song, that I've created a Facebook group for it, see https://www.facebook.com/groups/361137590649275/

I hope to see you and your mother there!
Best wishes, Carole

Nov 12, 2012
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The Land of I Dunno Where
by: Shelley - Canada

Thanks for posting the source of this wonderful song. My mother was excited to hear about this and that there are more verses. I've ordered a copy from the Australian library to pass down to future generations.

Nov 10, 2012
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Found
by: Carole

Since posting this query I have finally traced the song. Correct title is "The land of I-dunno-where" and was written by Fred W Leigh and Henry E Pether in 1912. It was published by Allan & Co in Melbourne. I've bought a copy of the sheet music from the National Library of Australia in Canberra. It was e-mailed to me, and my mother actually had the words & tune almost correct. It turns out that it wasn't originally a lullaby, but was a popular song, sung by Miss Florence Henderson.

I so glad to hear that someone else's mother sang it.

Nov 09, 2012
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The Land of I Don't Know Where
by: Shelley - Canada

My mother used to sing this song to me also, but she doesn't know the origin of it either. Her mother sang it to her as well. I know the tune but have never heard of the beginning part of the verse posted by Carole. I have been searching the internet to find the origin, full verses and music but have had no luck. Anyone?

Thanks,

Shelley - Canada

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