The Aeroplane Jelly Song: sheet music

This sheet music from 1930 is for one of Australia’s most recognisable tunes – 'The Aeroplane Jelly Song', an advertising jingle composed by Albert Francis Lenertz. It was first recorded that same year by Amy Rochelle, a music hall entertainer who did child imitations. It's interesting that this sheet music also doubled as a promotional tool, with slogans that amusingly spruik the jelly as a healthier choice. Lines like 'sweet news for everyone on a diet' and 'completely sugarless but wonderfully sweet' give us insight into the changing attitude toward sugar over time. 

Although this sheet music coincides with the first recording, most people would recognise the 1938 version that was sung by seven-year-old Joy King, who was chosen after a state-wide competition in New South Wales (the only state marketing the jelly crystals at this time). The jingle saturated the airwaves and was reportedly played 100 times a day on Sydney radio stations.