Hindustan and Beyond

Back in the day any mention of India and the far east always elicited to many folks romantic visions of exotic beauties in saris, sitar music, chutney, incense and saffron. And many composers struck out to corral songs they felt would appeal to western audiences.
Such was the song "Hindustan", the tune I awoke with this morning.
It was published in 1918 and written by Oliver Wallace (words) and Harold Weeks (music). It became an immediate hit after it was recorded by the Joseph C. Smith Orchestra, a society band that played the Plaza Hotel in New York and went on to a modicum of fame.
The tune was usually played as an instrumental, but if you want the words, here you go:

Camel trappings jingle, harp strings tingle
With a sweet voice mingle underneath the stars
Singing memories are bringing
Temple bell are ringing, calling me afar'

Hindustan, my Hindustand, where we stopped to rest our tired caravan
Hindustan, my Hindustan, where the painted peacock proudly spreads his fan
Hindustan, my Hindustan, where the purple sunbird flashed across the sand
Hindustan, my Hindustan, where I met her and world began

Shades of night are falling, nigtingales are calling
Every heart enthrolling, underneath the stars
Sighing, like the night wind dying
Spft my heart is crying for my love afar

Hindustan, my Hindustan............(repeat above)

Several good swing tunes uses the "Indian theme" and found success with "Song of India", based on a melody written by classical composer Rimsky-Korsakov from his opera "Sadoka" and was arranged for Dorseys band by Tommy and Red Bone. It features that smooth trombone of Dorsey accentuated by his use of a straight mute.
"On the Road to Mandaly" is based on the poem by the great "jingoistic" Rudyard Kipling from his book of poems published in 1896, "Back Room Ballads and Other Verses" and it includes the famous pean to a water boy "beastie" "Gunga Din".
Music was added in 1907 by Oley Speaks.
This particular song is a groaner and has been a staple of leather chested baritones for years, including Nelson Eddy. Until Frank Sinatra got a hold of it, with arrangement by Billy May and included it in his "Come Fly With Me" album on Capitol back in 1958.
Sinatra received some criticism for changing Kiplings words, but to me, this song really kicks out the jams,
Heres the lyrics:

By the old Moulmein Pagoda
Looking eastward to the sea
There's a Burma broad a settin'
And I know she thinks for me

For the wind is in the palm trees
And the temple bells they say
Come you back, you British soldier
Come you back to Mandalay
Come you back to Mandalay

Come you back to Mandalay
Where the old flotilla lay
Can't you hear their paddles chonkin'
From Rangoon to Mandalay

On the road to Mandalay
Where the flyin' fishes play
And the dawn comes up like thunder
Out of China 'cross the bay

Ship me somewhere east of Suez
Where the best is like the worst
Where there ain't no Ten Commandments
And a cat can raise a thirst

'Cause those crazy bells are callin'
And it's there that I would be
By the old Moulmein Pagoda
Looking lazy at the sea
Looking lazy at the sea

Come you back to Mandalay
Where the old flotilla lay
Can't you hear their paddles chonkin'
From Rangoon to Mandalay

On the road to Mandalay
Where the flyin' fishes play
And the dawn comes up like thunder

And then the songs just ends....with a massive gong stroke.