Pennsylvania Polka

The Andrews Sisters

About Pennsylvania Polka

The Pennsylvania Polka refers to a series of moves affecting the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers franchises in the National Football League (NFL) from 1940–1941. The name derives from a popular song composed by Zeke Manners and introduced in 1942 by The Andrews Sisters in their film Give Out, Sisters. Art Rooney, the owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, sold his team to Alexis Thompson on December 10, 1940, and subsequently bought a 50% stake in the Philadelphia Eagles franchise from owner Bert Bell. At the time of the deals, a mini-draft took place between the two teams, using a pool of players from both rosters. This resulted in the Eagles acquiring seven players formerly of the Steelers, and the Steelers obtaining eleven players formerly of the Eagles. The 1941 NFL Draft was also held during this time. Rooney later had second thoughts on the transactions, and made an agreement to swap cities with new Steelers owner Thompson on April 3, 1941. This resulted in the Philadelphia Eagles moving their team to Pittsburgh and becoming the new Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Pittsburgh Steelers moving their team to Philadelphia and becoming the new Philadelphia Eagles. Since NFL franchises at the time were territorial rights distinct from individual corporate entities, the Eagles and Steelers are each officially acknowledged by the NFL as single unbroken entities since 1933, especially since all of these events took place during the offseason. However, the players on the Eagles were basically traded to the Steelers in exchange for their players (with the exception of players who changed teams during the mini-draft, in which case those players "stayed" on the same teams). All players drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1941 NFL Draft therefore had their rights held by the Pittsburgh Steelers after the final swap, and vice versa. 


Year:
1977
12,165 
#7

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com

Strike up the music the band has begun
The Pennsylvania Polka.
Pick out your partner and join in the fun
The Pennsylvania Polka.
It started in Scranton, it's now No 1
It's bound to entertain you
Everybody has a mania
To do the polka from Pennsylvania

While they're dancing

Everybody's cares are quickly gone

Sweet romancing

This goes on and on until the dawn

They're so carefree

Gay with laughter happy as can be
They stop to have a beer
Then the crowd begins to cheer
They kiss and then they start to dance again.

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


The Andrews Sisters

The Andrews Sisters were a highly successful close harmony singing group of the swing and boogie-woogie eras. The group consisted of three sisters: contralto LaVerne Sophia Andrews (July 6, 1911 – May 8, 1967), soprano Maxene Angelyn Andrews (January 3, 1916 – October 21, 1995), and mezzo-soprano Patricia Marie "Patty" Andrews (born February 16, 1918). Throughout their long career, the sisters sold well over 75 million records (the last official count released by MCA Records in the mid-1970s). Their 1941 hit "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" can be considered an early example of rhythm and blues or jump blues. more »

7 fans

Written by: LEE LESTER, MANNERS ZEKE

Lyrics © MANNERS MUSIC , SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Historical Context
"Pennsylvania Polka" is a popular polka song written by Zeke Manners and Lester Lee in 1942.
Artist Profile
The song was famously covered by The Andrews Sisters, an American close harmony singing group of the swing and boogie-woogie eras consisting of three sisters: Contralto LaVerne Sophia, soprano Maxene Angelyn, and mezzo-soprano Patricia Marie "Patty" Andrews.
Musical Influence
The Andrews Sisters' version of "Pennsylvania Polka" increased the song's popularity and helped make the polka a familiar presence within mainstream American music.
Cultural Impact
The song has been featured in numerous films and television shows, often to evoke a nostalgic, mid-20th century U.S. setting. Among these are the films "Groundhog Day" and "The Deer Hunter."
Song Characteristics
"Pennsylvania Polka" is notably characterized by its fast-paced rhythm, upbeat melody, and catchy, repetitious lyrics, with a jovial mood typical of much polka music.
Lyrics Details
The lyrics to the song refer to dancing the polka while wearing Pennsylvania folk attire, these costumes are typically displayed during traditional Polish events or festivals.
Label Classification
The Andrews Sisters' Pennsylvania Polka was released under the Decca label, a major British record label established in 1929.
Popular Record
'Pennsylvania Polka' became an instant hit and sold so well that it was reportedly known as the "Polka of the Year" in 1942.
TV Appearances
The song’s popularity led to a TV appearance on Dick Clark's American Bandstand, where the sisters performed the number to a captivated audience.
Song Reception
Over time, 'Pennsylvania Polka' by The Andrews Sisters has been formally recognized as one of the most memorable and influential polka songs in American culture.
Later Covers
In addition to The Andrews Sisters, "Pennsylvania Polka" has been covered by numerous artists and groups over the years, including Frankie Yankovic, the undisputed "Polka King."

Discuss the Pennsylvania Polka Lyrics with the community:

1 Comment
  • Kat Sutter
    Kat Sutter
    We're from the town with that great football team,
    We cheer the Pittsburgh Steelers.
    Chuck Noll and all his friends are all on the team.
    Go out and get them Steelers.
    LikeReply 14 years ago

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