Merritt Brunies and his Friars Inn Orchestra Left to Right: Gordon Pouliot, Bill Paley, Henry Brunies, Maurie Friedman, Merritt Brunies, Bill Creger, Norman Van Hook, Clarence Piper, Rip Logan.

Masculine Women, Feminine Men

Written by Edgar Leslie/James V. Monaco, and recorded by Merrit Brunies & His Friar's Inn Orchestra on Okeh 40593, 3/2/26

Note: these are the complete lyrics, from the piano roll version of the song. Not all versions contain all the lyrics.

Hey Hey women are going mad, today
Hey Hey fellers are just as bad, I'll say
Go anywhere, just stand and stare
You'll say they're bugs when you
look at the clothes they wear

Masculine Women Feminine Men
which is the rooster which is the hen
It's hard to tell 'em apart today
And SAY...
Sister is busy learning to shave
Brother just loves his permanent wave
It's hard to tell 'em apart today
HEY HEY
Girls were girls and boys were boys
  when i was a tot,
Now we don't know who is who or
  even what's what
Knickers and trousers baggy and wide,
Nobody knows who's walking inside
Those Masculine Women Feminine Men

Masculine Women Feminine Men
Which is the rooster which is the hen
It's hard to tell 'em apart today
And SAY...
Auntie is smoking, rolling her own,
Uncle is always buying cologne
It's hard to tell 'em apart today
HEY HEY
You go and give your girl a kiss in the hall
But instead you find you're kissing
    her brother Paul
Mama's got a sweater up to her chin,
Papa's got a girtle holding him in
Those Masculine Women Feminine Men
Stop, Look, Listen and you'll agree... with me
Things are not what they used to be... you'll see
You say hello to Uncle Joe,
Then look again and you find it's your Aunti Flo
Masculine Women Feminine Men
Which is the rooster which is the hen
It's hard to tell 'em apart today
And SAY...
Wifey is playing billiards and pool,
Hubby is dressing kiddies for school
It's hard to tell 'em apart today
HEY HEY
Ever since the Prince of Wales in
    dresses was seen,
What does he intend to be the King or the Queen
Grandmother buys those tailor-made clothes
Grandfather tries to smell like a rose
Those Masculine Women Feminine Men

"Masculine Women, Feminine Men" has
been recorded by a surprising number of
artists, and was apparently quite popular
in the late 20's. Here are releases I've
found listed on the internet; I have a
few of these in my collection, but would
love to hear more. Click the to hear what I have...

Frank Harris (aka Irving Kaufman), (Columbia      569D, 1/29/26)
Bill Meyerl & Gwen Farrar (UK, 1926) 
Joy Boys (UK, 1926)
Harry Reser's Six Jumping Jacks (UK, 2/13/26) 
Bert Firman Orchestra (UK, 1926, inst.)
Phil Hughes & His High Hatters (Perfect 14586, 1926)
Cabaret Novelty Orchestra (Australia, 1926, inst.) 
Hotel Savoy Opheans (HMV 5027, UK, 1927,      aka Savoy Havana Band)
Norah Blaney (in a British newsreel, 1929, she was    the sometimes stage partner of Gwen Farrar)
True Endeavor Jug Band
     ("The Art of the Jug Band," 1963)
Spencer Washboard Kings    (UK, 1965) 
     ("Masculine Women Feminine Men" )
Bill Brooker's Jug Band (Dutch, 1976)  
George Melly (UK, 1984) 
           ("Crazy Words Crazy Tunes," Dutch)
Margret Roadknight
                   ("Living in the Land of Oz," 1984,
                   Aussie lesbian artist, issued in the
                   U.S. on Redwood Records)
Rio Trio (UK, 45 rpm, ~1990)
Ian Whitcomb ("Comedy Songs," 1996) 
Tom Robinson ("Castaway Club Vol. 7," 2000) 
Dirdy Birdies Jug Band ("Tracks," 2001) 
"Aint We Got Fun" Soundtrack (private, 2005)
Marc Almond ("At Bluegate's Field," 2008) 
Rose Collis, YouTube version from cabaret act (2018)

Also, an artist named Jon Strongbow recorded a song by that title on his 1989 cassette "A Normal Sort of Guy." It's not the same song, though interesting.

*****

Irving Kaufman (center), who also
recorded under many names,
including Frank Harris, at the Okeh
Recording Studio in 1927