Slow boat to china

Posted by ESC on March 20, 2002

In Reply to: Slow boat to china posted by James Briggs on March 19, 2002

: : : I've often heard the phrase 'slow boat to china' and I wondering abouts its origin

: : I'm not sure of if this is the origin, but there is a jazz song with they phrase as part of they lyrics:

: : On A Slow Boat To China
: : Kay Kyser
: : Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesser

:
: : --

: : I'd love to get you
: : On a slow boat to China,
: : All to myself alone.
: : Get you to keep you in my arms evermore,
: : Leave all your lovers (lovelies)
: : Weeping on the faraway shore.

: : Out on the briny
: : With the moon big and shiny,
: : Melting your heart of stone.
: : I'd love to get you
: : On a slow boat to China,
: : All to myself alone.

: : My mother used to sing them around the house :)

: Jo Stafford gave the very best version!

I am guessing that the origin lies in the fact that it took a really, really long time to reach China under the best of conditions. And even longer if the boat was s-l-o-w.