"Burlington Bertie" is a music hall song composed by Harry B. Norris in 1900 and notably sung by Vesta Tilley.
[1] Betty Grable in the part of vaudevillian Myrtle McKinley Burt performed the song in the musical film Mother Wore Tights (1947).
In all three songs, a woman dressed in a ragged form of male finery brags about how well connected in society "he" is, while clearly demonstrating an actual state of poverty.
Burlington Bertie's the latest young jay He rents a swell flat somewhere Kensington way He spends the good oof that his pater has made Along with the Brandy and Soda Brigade.
When pretty young dancers are out of a shop; When sweet little barmaids have just had to hop; When singers cannot with their agents agree; When trim little widows want someone for tea, Who is it that turns up, the lonely girl's friend?
When there are symptoms of warlike alarm And Burlington Bertie sees his brothers in arms, Altho' absent minded he does not forget That Englishmen always must pay off a debt.
He drops all his pleasures, the polo, the hunt And just like the rest he is off to the front; Altho' he's a johnny, he'll fight in the ruck, He's wealthy and foolish, but if you want pluck –