Songs of the Roaring Twenties

Speranza

Songs of the Roaring Twenties


1920
When Caruso comes to town.












1920
I want to know where Tosti went (when he said goodbye).











1920
James Kendis & James Brockman.
SUNNY WEATHER FRIENDS
they're all good fellows while the sun shines
but when clouds appear, they are nowhere near
oh give me a pal like father's only gal
who'd share the stormy days without a frown
but all I have are SUNNY WEATHER FRIENDS
they leave me when the sun goes down.





I have been spending,I have been lending,
Helping those who were in need,
How they caress'd me,Thanked me and bless'd me,
Friends in need are friends indeed,
Now a million things run through my mind,
When misfortune comes to me I find.
All I have are sunny weather friends,
sunny weather friends,


I may not show it, well do I know it,
Fate has been real kind to me,
They may regret it, I can't forget it,
Best I got was sympathy,
You've a million friends when you have one.
But when you've a million you have none.








1920
M: Vincent Rose, w: Richard Coburn.
NIGHTINGALE when you are singing tenderly
oh tell her nightingale
that it's a lover's melody
just so when ever you are singing
she'll know the message you are bringing
nightingale bring back my love to me





Somewhere the nightingale is singing from above
He promised that he'd be my messenger of love
And I am yearning for his returning
It seems that all I'm thinking of
The nightingale knows why I'm feeling sad and blue
Somehow I know that he is feeling lonesome too
That's why he's heeding my tender pleading
And sings to her the whole night thru.





1920
M: John H. Densmore, w: George Elmoor.











I KNOW WHERE A GARDEN GROWS
Jonquil, hyacynth and rose:
Warmed by languid summer breeze,
Whispering softly through the trees.
I know where a maiden sweet,
In this garden waits to meet
Her lover: in this garden bower,
She's fairer far than any flower.
I know where a garden grows,
Jonquil, hyacynth and rose:
She makes them fair, in fragrance rare,
My sweetheart, who is waiting there.
And that is why I go each day,
And why each night, I ever pray:
Pray, we two may ever stay
In this garden, in this garden,
I know where.





1920
M: Louis A. Hirsch, w: Julian Mitchell.


just a LOVE NEST cozy & warm
like a dove rest down on a farm
a veranda with some sort of clinging vine
then a kitch- en where some rambler roses twine
then a small room tea set of blue
best of all room dream room for two
better than a palace with a gilded dome
is a LOVE NEST you can call home.




many builders there have been
Since the world began
Palace, cottage, mansion, Inn
They have built for a man
some were small, and some were tall
long or wide or low
but the best one of them all
Jack built long ago
'twas built in bygone days
yet millions sing its praise.
Building houses still goes on
Now a well as then Ancient Jack and Jill are gone
Yet return again Ever comes the question old
Shall we build for pride, Or shall brick and mortar
hold Warmth and love inside?
The an- swer you may know
Jack solved it long ago.





1920
M: Raymond Hubbell, w: R. H. Burnside.


land of the brave and free where all find liberty
& hope beaming like a star gleaming
through the clouds above
from ocean to ocean we'l1 prove our devotion
fair land of freedom You're THE LAND I LOVE




Lest we forget These states are still United
here wrongs are righted good deeds requited
to make it free, men fought and died
their name and fame is nation wide
lest we forget It has a wondrous story
though grim and gory 'Tis filled with glory
and so to day The U.S.A.
is still a land that where we all say:
Lest we forget since we have been a nation
Emancition Was our salvation
When Lincoln said that right is might
His cause was just he won the fight
Lest we forget what they went over there for
and did their share for All that they care for
ow we can boast from coast to just one land:






1920
M: Hugo Felix, w: Anne Caldwell.
you said you'd always love me the same DIDN’T YOU
you said you'd like to give me your name DIDN’T YOU
you kissed me DIDN’T YOU
You've missed me, Havn't you?
You should have been true dear,
Shouldn't you? Couldn't you?
Tell me why, wouldn't you?
You found you care a lot for me yet DIDN’T YOU
You found you thought of me all the time DIDN’T YOU
You kissed me DIDN’T YOU
You've missed me, Havn't you?
You should forgive me dear,
Shouldn't you? Couldn't you?
Tell me why, wouldn't you?
Shouldn't you? Couldn't you?
Tell me why, wouldn't you? Now.





In that little cafe where candle lights were rosy,
You drank with me, A cup of tea;
By the little pink ray I saw a pretty posy,
That bloomed in grace your charming face,
It must have been a bit stronger than the usual cup of tea,
I can't remember all I said (Nat) I'll refresh your memory:
little maid brewed our tea and went to fetch it
We were alone, You'd bolder grown:
When your little hand stole away I tried to catch it,
A pressure slight said" "all is right,"
You leaned a little bit closer as I looked into your eyes,
Then straight away that Little cafe turned into paradise:



1920
Irving Berlin.







AFTER YOU GET WHAT YOU WANT YOU DON’T WANT IT
If I gave you the moon, You'd grow tired of it soon.
You're like a ba-by You want what you want when you want it,
But af-ter you are pre-sent-ed with what you want you're dis-con-tent-ed.
You're al-ways wish-ing and want-ing for some-thing,
When you get what you want You don't want what you get.
And tho' you sit up-on my knee, You'll grow tired of me,
'Cause, Af-ter you get what you want
you don't want what you want-ed at all.
Lis-ten to me hon-ey dear
Some-thing's wrong with you I fear
It's get-ting hard-er to please you
Hard-er and hard-er each year.
I don't want to make you blue
But you need a talk-ing to
Like a lot of peo-ple I know,
Here's what's wrong with you.
Don't you say that I'm un-kind
Think it o-ver and you'll find
You've got a change-a-ble na-ture
You're al-ways chang-ing your mind
There's a long-ing in your eye
That is hard to sat-is-fy
You're un-hap-py most of the time
Here's the rea-son why.















































1922
Irving Berlin






HOMESICK I know just what's the matter
I'm HOMESICK that's all
I see that cozy little shack & the little red school
daddy on the back of a funny old mule
God vless our home on the wall
the fields of clover they seem to say
why don't you come over pay us a call
I miss the cows & the chickens & the apple tree shady
& there's that little old lady
do you wonder why I'm HOMESICK.
I feel ver-y blue, yes I do can't you tell,
Wor-ry quite a lot 'cause I'm not feel-ing well
Friends have come to me, say-ing
"We can see, You need com-pan-y,"
but I'm not lone-ly, I'm on-ly
My poor heart will stop when I hop off the train,
Such a hap-py soul when I stroll down the lane
I can't wait 'til then, to be there a-gain,
In the twi-light when the sun is set-ting I'm get-ting
1925


Irving Berlin.






Always was the beginning of a parade of hits that never seemed to stop. Here are just a few from the following years: 1930 - Puttin' On The Ritz (Remember Young Frankenstein?) 1932 - How deep is The Ocean, Let's Have Another Cup Of Coffee 1933 - Easter Parade 1935 - Cheek To Cheek 1937 - I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
1939 - God Bless America 1942 - White Christmas 1945 - All Of My Life 1946 - There's No Business Like Show Business
1954 - Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep 1957 – Sayonara 1962 - In Our Hideaway













1920
Sitwell/Walton. “Façade”. Don Pasquito. The "entertainment" Façade, in which Sitwell's poems are recited over an instrumental accompaniment by Walton, was first given privately in the Sitwell family's London house on 24 Jan. 1922. The first public performance was given at the Aeolian Hall, London, on 12 June 1923. On both occasions, the author recited the verse and the composer conducted the ensemble.


WHEN DON PASQUITO ARRIVED AT THE SEASIDE
Where the donkey's hide tide brayed, he
Saw the bandito Jo in a black cape
Whose slack shape waved like the sea -
Thetis wrote a treatise noting wheat is silver like the sea,
The lovely cheat is sweet as foam,
Erotis notices that she will steal the
Wheat-kings luggage, like Babel
Before the League of Nations grew -
So Jo put the luggage and the label
In the pocket of Flo the Kangaroo.
Through trees like rich hotels that bode
Of dreamless ease fled she,
Carrying the load and goading the road
Through the marine scene to the sea.
'Don Pasquito, the road is eloping
With your luggage though heavy and large,
You must follow and leave your moping
Bride to my guidance and charge!'
When Don Pasquito returned from the road's end
Where vanilla coloured ladies ride
From Sevilla, his mantilla'd bride and young friend
Were forgetting their mentor and guide.
For the lady and her friend from Le Touquet
In the very shady trees on the sand
Were plucking a white satin bouquet
Of foam, while the sand's brassy band
Blared in the wind. Don Pasquito
Hid where the leaves drip with sweet...
But a word stung him like a mosquito...
For what they hear, they repeat!




1921
Jack McGowan & Edgar Moran.
BIRDS OF A FEATHER
just you & I
someday together
away we'll fly
off to a love nest
like love birds do
somewhere I'll build
one for you,
who knows then
maybe two birds will sing
rockabye baby
what joy 'twill bring
BIRDS OF A FEATHER
can never go wrong
helping each other along.



I'm a lonesome little bird
Looking for a mate
If the right one says the word
I won't hesitate.
When she he comes flying my way
Here's what I'm going to say:
All around the world I've sought
Someone of my kind
Two hearts with a single thought
Have been hard to find.
I know I'll meet her him some day
Here's what I'm going to say:



1921
Jack Stanley/Geo. A Little. They needed a song bird in heaven, so God took Caruso away.





1921
M: Vincent Youmans, w: Arthur Francis & Schuyler Greene, “Two little girls in blue: a musical comedy.”
DOLLY sad or gay
there is something charm ing about you
something sweet that seems to say
life would be empty for me without you
DOLLLY DOLLY when you're near
clouds & shadows all disappear
& the stars above you spell the words I love you
DOLLY DOLLY dear.


little lady of my dreams
since the day we met
ev'ry other girly seems easy to forget
on this heart of mine
I have placed a sign no room to let
with your sweet & winning smiles
& your tender eyes
you have brought me miles & miles
nearer paradise.
ev 'ry joy know here on earth be low
I know I owe to you dear DOLLY






1921
M: Louis Silvers, w: B. G. De Sylva, “Bombo: a musical comedy”, Broadway, where it was performed by Al Jolson. The British comedians Morecambe and Wise performed a skit featuring the song which involved a light sprinkling of water drizzling on straight man Ernie Wise whenever he sung it but a bucket of water being thrown over Eric Morecambe whenever he did the same.
tho’ APRIL SHOWERS may come your way
they bring the flowers that bloom in May
so if it’s raining have no regrets
because it isn’t raining rain you know -- it's raining violets
& where you see clouds upon the hills
you soon will see crowds of daffodils
so keep on looking for a blue bird & list'ning for his song
whenever APRIL SHOWERS come along
Life is not a highway strewn with flowers
still it holds a goodly share of bliss
when the sun gives way to April showers
here is the point you should never miss

1921
Sidney Clare/Con Conrad.
MA HE’S MAKING EYES AT ME
ma he's awful nice to me
ma he's almost breaking my heart
I'm beside him
mercy let his conscience guide him
ma he wants to marry me
be my honey bee
every minute he gets bolder
now he's leaning on my shoulder
ma he's kissing me.
Ma, he's making eyes at me
Ma, he's awful nice to me
Ma, he's almost breaking my heart
If you peek in, can't you see
I'm goin' to weaken
Ma, he wants to marry me,
Be my honey bee
Ma I'm meeting with resistance
I shall holler for assistance
Ma, he's kissing me

1921
Ted Snyder. Inspired by Valentino, “The Sheik”.

I'm THE SHEIK OF ARABY
your love belongs to me
at nights when you're asleep
into your tent I creep
the stars that shine above
will light our way to love
you rule this world with me
I'm THE SHEIK OF ARABY








1921
m: Philip Braham, w: Douglas Furber, “A to Z” a musical revue, London – inspired by the area of Limehouse. Introduced by Jack Buchanan and Gertrude Lawrence.



o Limehouse kid
o o Limehouse kid
goin' the way
that the rest of them did
poor broken blossom
& nobody's child
haunting & taunting
you're just kind of wild
o LIMEHOUSE BLUES
I've the real LIMEHOUSE BLUES
can't seem to shake off
those real China blues
rings on your fingers
& tears for your crown
that is the story
of old Chinatown





& those weird China blues
never go away
Sad mad blues
For all the while they seem to say



1922
Roy Turk & Lou Handman.
MY SWEETIE WENT AWAY
but she didn't say where
she didn'y say when she didn't say why
or bid me goodbye & I'm as blue as can be.
I know she loves another one but she didn't say who
she didn't say which she didn't say what
her papa has got that took my sweetie from me.
I'm like a little lost sheep & I can't sleep
but I keep tryin' to forget
my triflin' mamma left her papa all alone
I groan
MY SWEETIE WENT AWAY
but she didn't say where
she didn't say when she didn't say why
I know that I'll die why don't she hurry back home





I've got a lovesick tale to tell to you,
'Tho' it's no affair of mine.
It's 'bout a gal named Sue and boy named Lou,
They were fighting all the time.
Lou came home one afternoon,
Found an empty dining room;
Without a word his turtle dove had flown,
So he began to moan:

You oughta see this lovesick fellow, Lou,
Doesn't do a thing but sigh.
And while he's wond'ring what became of Sue,
He's a sight for any eye.
Bought some poison, bought a gun,
Says, "goodby," to ev'ryone;
And while he's doping out some way to die,
He can't forget to cry:



1922
Irving Berlin.
SOME SUNNY DAY with a smile on my face
I'll go back to that place far away
back to that shack & that red headed hen
she'll say "How have you be'n"
then go back to the hay & lay me my breakfast
SOME SUNNY DAY I'll be on That express
flying away to my little bunch of happiness
oh how I pine for those lips sweet as wine
the'll be pressed close to mine
SOME SUNNY DAY





My heart goes pitter patter,
No one knows what's the matter.
Just received a telegram from Alabam' my home.
That's why I'm gonna worry
'till the time when I hurry,
Right back to that cabin door,
Never more to roam.


Sunny spring is the season When birds sing,
there's a reason Rolling stones who hear their song,
begin to long for home.
Lohengrin Mister Verdi
don't begin with a birdie
Telling you to go back home,
Never more to roam.



1922
Ray Brown & Ray Klages
O those early in the morning
when the day is dawning blues
big ben upon the table
ringing out unwelcome news
you hate to leave your bed so warm
on a cold and frosty morn
& even tho' you're late
you want to hesitate
you start to stretch & yawn
the clock keeps on a callin
you keep on a stallin' too
you haven't got another minute to lose
then you bid your bed a fond adieu
& wish you could take it down to work with you
O those early in the morning
when the day is dawning blues.


I'm not sad, and I never feel bad,
I'm as happy as I can be
I won't fret, for I never have yet
There is nothing that worries me.
but Oh,Oh, there's a time when I feel so blue
that's why I am singing the blues to you
soon I'll go, where its forty below
To the land of the ice and snow
In a hut, where I'll do nothing but
Live the life of an Eskimo
For I know that's the only place I belong
Up there Where the nights are all six months long.





Birds are a-singing, and steam pipes are a ringing,
While you're tucked away in the hay,
Roosters are crowing and the clock gets a going,
Then your dreams all will vanish away
Then you get out of bed, Wishing that you were dead,
Feeling as tired as a Turk,You get so mad,
until you make up your mind to kill The guy who invented work.



1922
Ted Koehler, Frank Magine & C. Naset.
play that DREAMY MELODY
that soothing refrain
play it sweet & tenderly
I don't know why
it haunts me so
I seem to hear it
ev'rywhere I go
play that magic harmony
'twill li-ger forever
just like a memory
O let me dream &
play for me that mel-o-dy


I'm in love with a mel-o-dy
that cap-tured me
It's a part of my heart
Haunt-ing me and
I'm for-ev-er say-ing
Night and day like a mag-ic charm
That mel-o-dy Comes to me con-stant-ly
Thrill-ing me and that's why I keep say-ing




1922
o that KISS IN THE DARK
was to him just a lark
but to me ’twas a thrill supreme
just A KISS IN THE DARK
but it kindled the spark
the awak'ning of love's young dream



I re-call the mad de-light
Of a love-ly dance
And a stroll in-to a night
Tremb-ling with ro-mance.
There he told me of my charms
How could I re-sist
Sud-den-ly with-in his arms
I was held and kissed!
That was love in all its pow'r
Yet to-day it seems
Like a sweet but fleet-ing hour
In the land of dreams,
There we part-ed in the dawn
He had played a part
But the mem-'ry lin-gered on
In my tremb-ling heart.





1922
Haydn Wood. Lyrics by Harry Rodney-Bennett.


all thru the night
there's a little BROWN BIRD SINGING
singing in the hush
of the darkness & the dew
singing in the hush of the darkness & the dew
would that his song thru the stillness
could go a-winging
could go a-winging to you to you.
all thru the night time
my lonely heart is singing
sweeter songs of love
than the BROWN BIRD ever knew
sweeter songs of love than the brown bird ever knew
would that the song of my heart
could go a-winging
could go a-winging to you to you.






1923
E. Ray Goetz.
hmmmmmmm SO THIS IS LOVE
I'm sure it is & yet
I but seem in a dream since we met
to thrill at thought of someone
a thrill I never knew
hmmmmmmm If this is Love sweet heart
then someone's in love with you





We met, we spoke, and I awoke
To some emotion new
We met again, We parted,
then I thought and thought of you
Then came the a wakening,
Brought by your first kiss
I've dreamed,I've sought but never thought






That love could be like this
We met, we spoke, though love a woke
We only met to part
We'll meet, we'll speak
But smiles will seek
To hide the tears that start
now with the awak'ning
Strange though It may seem
I find that I can smile goodbye
To every hope and dream.




1923
w.m. Cecil Mack & James P. Johnson. Inspiration for a dance craze.
CHARLESTON CHARLESTON made in Carolina.
some dance, some prance, I'll say, there's nothing finer
than the Charleston, Charleston. Lord, how you can shuffle.
ev'ry step you do leads to something new, man, I'm telling you it's a lapazoo.
Buck dance, wing dance, will be a back number,
But the Charleston, the new Charleston, that dance is surely a comer.
Sometime you'll dance it one time, the dance called the Charleston,
Made in South Caroline.
Charleston! Charleston! Made in Carolina.
Some dance, some prance, I'll say, there's nothing finer
Than the Charleston, Charleston. Lord, how you can shuffle.
Ev'ry step you do leads to something new, man, I'm telling you it's a lapazoo.
Buck dance, wing dance, will be a back number,
But the Charleston, the new Charleston, that dance is surely a comer.
Sometime you'll dance it one time, the dance called the Charleston,
Made in South Caroline!
Caroline Caroline at last they've got you on the map
with a new tune a funny blue tune with a peculiar snap
you many not be able to buck & wing, fox-trot, two-step, or even swing,
if you ain't got religion in your feet you can do this prance and do it neat.


1923
w.m. Frank Silver & Irving Cohn
YES WE HAVE NO BANANAS
we have no bananas today
we’ve string beans & onions
cabashes & scallions
& all sorts of fruit & say
we have an old fashioned tomato
a Long Island potato
but YES WE HAVE NO BANANAS
we have no bananas today


There's a fruit store on our street
It's run by a Greek
And he keeps good things to eat But you should hear him speak!
When you ask him anything, he never answers "no"
He just "yes"es you to death, and as he takes your dough He tells you


Business got so good for him that he wrote home today,
"Send me Pete and Nick and Jim; I need help right away"
When he got them in the store, there was fun, you bet
Someone asked for "sparrow grass" and then the whole quartet All answered
"Yes, we have no bananas
We have-a no bananas today
Just try those coconuts
Those wall-nuts and doughnuts
There ain't many nuts like they
We'll sell you two kinds of red herring,
Dark brown, and ball-bearing
But yes, we have no bananas
We have no bananas today"
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/l/louis_prima/yes_we_have_no_bananas.html ]
He, he, he, he, ha, ha, ha whatta you laugh at?
You gotta soup or pie?
Yes, I don't think we got soup or pie
You gotta coconut pie?
Yes, I don't think we got coconut pie
Well I'll have one cup a coffee
We gotta no coffee
Then watta you got?
I got a banana!
Oh you've got a banana!

Yes, we gotta no banana, No banana, No banana, I tell you we gotta no banana today
I sella you no banana
Hey, Mary Anna, you gotta... gotta no banana?
Why this man, he's no believe-a what I say… no… he no believe me…
Now whatta you wanta mister? You wanna buy twelve for a quarter?
Well, just a one of a look, I'm gonna call for my daughter
Hey, Mary Anna You gotta piana
Yes, a banana, no
Yes, we gotta no bananas today!

The new English "clark"
Yes, we are very sorry to inform you
That we are entirely out of the fruit in question
The afore-mentioned vegetable Bearing the cognomen "Banana"
We might induce you to accept a substitute less desirable,
But that is not the policy at this internationally famous green grocery
I should say not. No no no no no no no
But may we suggest that you sample our five o'clock tea
Which we feel certain will tempt your pallet?
However we regret that after a diligent search
Of the premises By our entire staff
We can positively affirm without fear of contradiction
That our raspberries are delicious; really delicious
Very delicious But we have no bananas today



1923
w. Bert Kalmar & Harry Ruby m. Ted Snyder


WHO’S SORRY NOW
who's sorry now
whose heart is achin'
for breakin' each vow
who's sad & blue
who's cryin' too
just like I cried over you
right to the end
just like a friend
I tried to warn you somehow
you had your way
now you must pay
I'm glad that you're sorry now







1924
Isham Jones/Gus Kahn, “Show business: a musical comedy”.


IT HAD TO BE YOU
it’s got to be you
I wondered around
& suddenly found
the someone who
will make me feel bad
& even be sad
just for the sad thinking of you
some others I’ve seen
might never be mean
might want to be boss
or even get cross
at me
but they wouldn’t do
for nobody else gave me that thrill
With all your faults I love you still
It’s got to be you
wonderful you,
it’s got to be you



1924
w. Joseph M. Lacalle (Sp) Albert Gamse (Eng) m. Joseph M. Lacalle


AMAPOLA my pretty little poppy
you're like that lovely flower so sweet & heavenly
since I found you
my heart is wrapped around you
& loving you it seems to beat a rhapsody
Amapola, the pretty little poppy
must copy its endearing charm from you
Amapola, Amapola
how I long to hear you say I love you.
Amapola lindísima Amapola
sera siempre tu alma tuya sola
yo te quiero amada niña mia
igual que ama la flor la luz del dia
Amapola
lindísima Amapola
no seas tan ingrata y ámame.
Amapola, Amapola
como puedes tu vivir tan sola



1924
Spencer Williams/Jack Palmer.


EVERYBODY LOVES MY BABY
BUT MY BABY DON’T WANT NOBODY BUT ME
nobody but me
everybody wants my baby
but my baby don't want nobody but me
that's plain to see


yes she got a foam like Venus
honest, I ain't talking Greek
no one can come between us
she's my Sheba, I am her Sheik


1924
Noel Coward. Andre Charlot’s Revue



Parisian Pierrot
society’s hero
the lord of the day
the rue the la Paix
is under your sway
the world may flatter
but what does that matter
they’ll never shatter
your gloom profound
Parisian Pierot
your spirit’s at zero
divinely forlorn
with exquisive scorn
from sunset to dawn
the limbo is calling
your star will be falling
as soon as the clock goes round.



1924
Friml, “Rosa Maria”



when I’m calling you-oo-ooo
will you answer too---oo--ooo
that means I offer my life to you
to be your own
If you refuse me I will be blue
I’ve waited all alone
but if when you hear my love call ringing clear
& I hear your answering echo so dear
then I will know our love will come true
you’ll belong to me I’ll belong to you.







1925
Cuthbert Harris, “The fairy gardeners”.













when winter time is passing
Look out before the dawn
Across the moonlit valley
And o'er the misty lawn
A lot of tiny people,
So busy you will see,
And then you'll say
"I wonder Whoever can they be?
Oh! the little fairy gard'ners,
the busy fairy gard'ners,
They plant and sow and dig
and hoe when dews of April fall,
The flowers rise and greet them,
The Spring awakes to meet them,
Oh! little fairy gard'ners,
how we love you all.
When winter snows have melted,
And dreary days are done,
Oh! greet the thousand blossoms,
That glisten in the sun!
Within your heart be hiding,
This beauty fair and new;
The happy fairy gard'ners
Have fashioned it for you!
Oh! the little fairy gard'ners,
the busy fairy gard'ners,
They plant and sow and dig
and hoe, when dews of April fall,
The flowers rise and greet them,
The Spring awakes to meet them,
Oh! little fairy gard'ners
how we love you all.





1925
Irving Berlin.












1925


IF YOU KNEW SUSIE LIKE I KNOW SUSIE
oh oh oh what a girl
there's none so classy
as this fair lassie
oh oh holy Moses what a chassis
we went riding, she didn't balk
back from Yonkers
I'm the one that had to walk
IF YOU KNEW SUSIE LIKE I KNOW SUSIE
oh oh what a girl
IF YOU KNEW SUSIE LIKE I KNOW SUSIE
oh oh oh what a girl
she wears long tresses
& nice tight dresses
oh oh what a future she possesses
out in public how she can yawn
in a parlour you would think the war was on
IF YOU KNEW SUSIE LIKE I KNOW SUSIE
oh oh what a girl


I have got a sweetie known as Susie
In the words of Shakespeare she's a "wow"
Though all of you may know her, too
I'd like to shout right now:
Suzie has a perfect reputation
No one ever saw her on a spree
Nobody knows where Susie goes
Nobody knows but me
She'll spend Sunday praising the Lord,
But on Monday she's as busy as a Ford.
If you knew Susie, like I know Susie
Oh! Oh, what a girl!
I had a mustache, and trained it like a pup
She's got such hot lips she kissed me once
and burned it up.
If you knew Susie--like I know Susie
Oh Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh, what a girl!




1925
Jacob Gade/Vera Bloom. Jalousie.







1925


o we ain't got a barrel of money
maybe we're ragged and funny
but we'll travel along
singing a songs
SIDE BY SIDE
don't know what's comin' tomorrow
maybe it's trouble and sorrow
but we'll travel the road
sharing our load
SIDE BY SIDE



through all kinds of weather
what if the sky should fall?
just as long as we're together
it doesn't matter at all

when they've all had their quarrels & parted
we'll be the same as we started
just a-traveling along
singing a song
SIDE BY SIDE



See that sun in the morning,
peeking over the hill
I'll bet you're sure it always has and sure it always will.
that's how I feel about someone,
how somebody feels about me.
we're sure we love each other
that's the way we'll always be.
We're all hunting for something
Something we don't know what
'Cause none of us are satisfied with things we know we've got.
We all forget about moonlight,
As soon as we've given our vow
But we'd all be so happy if we'd start and sing right now:




1925
Folk song, adapted in 1925 by Irving King, the British songwriting team James Campbell and Reginald Connelly, written on a railroad train journey from London. They were tired from the traveling and had a few alcoholic drinks during the journey.
SHOW ME THE WAY TO GO HOME
I'm tired & I want to go to bed
I had a little drink about an hour ago
& it's gone straight up to my head
where ever I may roam
on land or sea or foam
you will always hear me singing this song
SHOW ME THE WAY TO GO HOME


Indicate the way to my abode
I'm fatigued and I want to retire
I had a spot of beverage sixty minutes ago
And it went right to my cerebellum
Wherever I may perambulate
On land, or sea or atmospheric vapour
You can always hear me crooning the melody
Indicate the way to my abode
Lead me to my bed
I'm knackered and I want to get some kip
I had a bit of booze about an hour ago
And it went right to my cop
Wherever I may stroll
To the pub, or to the dole
You will always hear me making this noise
Lead me to my bed



1925



no gal made
has got a shade
on SWEET GEORGIA BROWN
two left feet
oh, so neat
has SWEET GEORGIA BROWN
they all sigh
& want to die
for SWEET GEORGIA BROWN
I'll tell you just why
you know I don't lie -- not much
it's been said
she knocks 'em dead
when she lands in town
since she came
why it's a shame
how she cools them down
fellas she can't get
must be fellas she ain't met
Georgia claimed her
Georgia named her
SWEET GEORGIA BROWN
All those gifts those courters give,
To SWEET GEORGIA BROWN
They buy clothes at fashion shows,
With one dollar down,
Oh, boy! tip your hat!
Oh, joy! she's the cat!
Who's that, mister? 'tain't a sister!
SWEET GEORGIA BROWN




1925
Picture me upon your knee
just tea for two and two for tea
Just me for you and you for me alone
Nobody near us to see us or hear us
No friends or relations on weekend vacations
We won’t have it known dear that we own a telephone.
----- I’m discontented
----- with homes that I rented
----- so I have invented
----- my own.
----- Darling this place is
----- a lovers’s oasis
----- where life’s wary chase is
---- UNKNOWN
----- far from the cry of the city
----- where flowers pretty
----- caress the stream
----- cosy to hide in
----- to live side by side in
----- don’t let it abide in
-----my dreams

1925




ON MOTHER KELLY’S DOORSTEP
down paradise row
I sit alonga Nellie
she sits alonga Joe
she's got a little hole in her frock
hole in her shoe
hole in her sock
where her toe peeps thru
but Nellie was the smartest down our alley
ON MOTHER KELLY’S DOORSTEP
I'm wondering now
if little girl Nellie
remembers Joe, her beau
& does she love him
like she used to
ON MOTHER KELLY’S DOORSTEP
down paradise row






1926
w. Ira Gershwin m. George Gershwin


there's a somebody I'm longin' to see
I hope that he, turns out to be
SOMEONE who’ll WATCH OVER ME
I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood
I know I could, always be good
to one who'll WATCH OVER ME



although he may not be the man some
girls think of as handsome
to my heart he carries the key

won't you tell him please to put on some speed
follow my lead, oh, how I need
SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME.


There's a saying old, says that love is blind
Still we're often told, "seek and ye shall find"
So I'm going to seek a certain lad I've had in mind
Looking everywhere, haven't found him yet
He's the big affair I cannot forget
Only man I ever think of with regret
I'd like to add his initial to my monogram
Tell me, where is the shepherd for this lost lamb?





1926
There is much speculation about the meaning of the song. At least two commentators (using the same source) attribute the song to a prostitute's leaving the business and going home to her mother. As such, it is the opposite of “House of the Rising Sun,” where the prostitute returns to the business. The reason for the song's apparent ambiguity is that the opening verse and the verses about the bluebird are rarely sung.



pack up all my cares &woes
here I go singing low,
BYE BYE BLACKBIRD
where somebody waits for me
sugar is sweet so is she,
BYE BYE BLACKBIRD

no one here can love & understand me,
oh what hard luck stories they all hand me.
make my bed & light the light
I'll arrive late tonight
blackbird bye-bye



1926
Woods.




WHEN THE RED RED ROBIN COMES BOB BOB BOBBIN’ ALONG along
there'll be no more sobbin'
when he starts throbbin' his old sweet song
wake up wake up you sleepy head
get up get up get out of bed
cheer up cheer up the sun is red
live love laugh & be happy
what if I were blue now I'm walking thru fields of flowers
rain may glisten but still I listen for hours & hours
I'm just a kid again doing what I did again singing a song
WHEN THE RED RED ROBIN COMES BOB BOB BOBBIN’ ALONG.



1926
Weinthrop-Allen, “Underneath the arches”: a musical comedy – compiled by Roy Hudd.
UNDERNEATH THE ARCHES we dream our dreams away
UNDERNEATH THE ARCHES on cobblestones we lay
happy when the daylight comes creeping
heralding the dawn
sleeping when it’s raining & sleeping when it’s fine
trains rattling by above
pavement is our pillow, no matter where we stray
UNDERNEATH THE ARCHES we dream our dreams away.
The Ritz, we never cared for
The Carlton, they can keep
But there is only one place that we love
And that is where we sleep…


1926
Written when Donaldson & Kahn were visiting Eddie Cantor. Cantor's daughter Marjorie brought out one of her favourite toys, a walking mechanical pig. She wound it up and it started walking in rhythm while 2 notes kept coming from the little creature. Kahn was inspired and started working lyrics to these notes in rhythm with the pig, coming up with the title and opening line of the chorus in short order.


YES SIR THAT’S MY BABY
no sir I don't mean maybe
YES SIR THAT’S MY BABY now
Yes ma'm we've decided
No ma'm we won't hide it
Yes ma'm you're invited now





By the way, by the way
when we meet the preacher I'll say


YES SIR THAT’S MY BABY
No sir, I don't mean maybe
YES SIR THAT’S MY BABY now


1926
Thomas Case Sterndale Bennett/Hugh E. Wright. At Waterbury, Kent, Bennett had a villa near Warden House and was inspired by the Lower Mill Pond. The gate he mentions is at the beginning of the track at Upper Mill End.




sowin's pretty good
reapin' ain't so bad
scarin' off the crows
suits a farmer's lad
but if you ask'es me
the thing that suits a fellow
is a little bit of straw to suck
to keep your fancies mellow

when you're LEANIN' on the gate beside
the pond that lies beside the side
of farmer's stacks of new mown hay
it's just atwix the ricks
beside the barn where farmers sticks inside
the chicks he only hatch'd today
LEANIN’ LEANIN’
I'm champion down our way
they say
at LEANIN' on the gate beside the pond that lies beside
the side of farmer's stacks of new mown hay
that he's been gleanin'
while I've been LEANIN' all day
Had a lurcher once
better than a gal
poacher? Well, a bit
but 'e was a pal
now there's just a mound
underneath the el-lum
reckon folks would laugh at I
if I was to tell 'em.

why I'm LEANIN' on the gate beside the pond that lies beside
the side the hedge where my old dog would play
it's just a'cos from there I see the sunlight
glintin' through the tree
upon the grave where 'e do lie
sleepin', sleepin'
goodbye is hard to say
that's why
I'm LEANIN’ on the gate beside the pond that lies beside
the side of farmer's stacks of new-mown hay
and at the gleanin'
he'll find me LEANIN' all day





1926

Ma il mio mistero e chiuse in me
Il nome mio nessun spara
Solo quando la luce splendera
Sulla tua bocca lo diro fremente
Ed il mio bacio sciogliera
Il silenzio che ti fa mia.
Puccini
“Turandot”.






1926
Eric Coates – Royden Barrie



over the quiet hills
slowly the shadows fall
far down the echoing vale
birds softly call
slowly the golden sun
sinks in the dreaming west
BIRD SONGS AT EVENTIDE
call me to rest.

love tho’ the hours of day
sadness of heart may bring
when twilight comes again
sorrows take wing
for when the dusk of dreams
comes with the falling dew
BIRD SONGS AT EVENTIDE
call me to you.








1927
“Good news”.



the moon belongs to everyone,
THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE


the stars belong to everyone,
they gleam there for you & me



the flowers in spring
the robins that sing
the moonbeams that shine
they're yours, they're mine.
& love can come to everyone
THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE
1927
Ain’t that a grand and glorious feeling





1927
w. Mitchell Parish m. Hoagy Carmichael
sometimes I wonder why I spend the lonely nights
dreaming of a song the melody haunts my reverie
& I am once again with you
when our love was new & each kiss an inspiration
but that was long ago & now my consolation is in the STARDUST of a song
beside the garden wall when stars are bright you are in my arms
the nightingale tells his fairy tale of paradise where roses grew
tho’ I dream in vain in my heart you will remain
my STARDUST melody the memory of love’s refrain.
& now the purple dusk of twilight time
steals across the meadows of my heart
high up in the sky the little stars climb
always reminding me that we’re apart
you wander down the lane & far away
leaving me a song that will not die
love is now the STARDUST of yesterday
the music of the years gone by.
1927
w.m. Irving Berlin


THE SONG IS ENDED
BUT THE MELODY LINGERS ON
you & the song are gone
but the melody lingers on

the night was splendid
& the melody seemed to say
summer will pass away
take your happiness while you may





there 'neath the light of the moon
we sang a love song that ended too soon
the moon descended
& I found with the break of dawn
you & the song had gone
but the melody lingers on
my thoughts go back to a heavenly dance
a moment of bliss we spent
our hearts were filled with a song of romance
as into the night we went
& sang to our hearts' content


1927
w.m. Irving Berlin






BLUE SKIES smiling at me
nothing but BLUE SKIES do I see
bluebirds singing a song
nothing but bluebirds all day long





Never saw the sun shining so bright
Never saw things going so right
Noticing the days hurrying by
When you're in love, my how they fly

Blue days all of them gone
Nothing but blue skies from now on


I was blue, just as blue as I could be
Ev'ry day was a cloudy day for me
Then good luck came a-knocking at my door
Skies were gray but they're not gray anymore
I should care if the wind blows east or west
I should fret if the worst looks like the best
I should mind if they say it can't be true
I should smile, that's exactly what I do




1927


AIN’T SHE SWEET
see her walking down the street
now I ask you very confidentially
ain't she sweet
ain't she nice
look her over once or twice
now I ask you very confidentially
ain't she nice
just cast an eye in her direction
oh me oh my ain't that perfection
I repeat
don't you think she's kind of sweet
now I ask you very confidentially
ain't she sweet?

Ain't HE sweet
When he passes down the street
everybody whispers confidentially,
ain't he sweet.
ain't HE cute
in his brand new chequered suit
now I ask you very confidentially
ain't he cute
O can't you see
how I adore him
If he wants me
I'm right here for him
When we meet,
Just knock me off my feet
And I ask you very confidentially,
Ain't HE sweet





There she is! There she is!
There's what keeps me up at night
Oh, gee whiz! Oh, gee whiz!
There's why I can't eat a bite
Those flaming eyes! That flaming youth!
Oh, mister oh, sister, tell me the truth...
Tell me where, tell me where
Have you seen one just like that
I declare, I declare
That sure is worth looking at
Oh, boy, how sweet those lips must be
Gaze on it, doggonit! Now answer me
Look who's here,
Look who's here,
There's a boy I'm mad about!
Oh my dear,
When he's near,
I just feel like passin' out!
So big and strong,
So full of youth,
Oh momma, Oh poppa,
Tell me the truth!
What a man, I'll say!
How he can, hey-hey!
Look him up, and down,
There's the handsomest man in town!
What a smile he's got,
Get that style, it's hot!
Me for him, no joke,
I could love him if he was broke!



1927
Dixon-Woods
I'M LOOKING OVER A FOUR LEAF CLOVER
that I overlooked before
one leaf is sunshine, the second is rain
third is the roses that grow in the lane
no need explaining, the one remaining
is somebody I adore
I’M LOOKING OVER A FOUR LEAF CLOVER
that I overlooked before




1927
Jaromír Vejvoda.
ROLL OUT THE BARREL
we'll have a barrel of fun
ROLL OUT THE BARREL
we’ve got the blues on the run
zing boom tararrel
ring out a song of good cheer
now's the time to ROLL OUT THE BARREL
for the gang's all here



There's a garden, what a garden,
Only happy faces bloom there,
And there's never any room there,
For a worry or a gloom there
Oh there's music and there's dancing,
And a lot of sweet romancing
When they play the polka
They all get in the swing

Every time they hear that oom-pa-pa,
Everybody feels so tra-la-la
They want to throw their cares away,
They all go lah-de-ah-de-ay
Then they hear a rumble on the floor,
It's the big surprise they're waiting for
And all the couples form a ring,
For miles around you'll hear them sing





1927
Music: Julio Cesar Sanders credited in the U.S. as "Lenny Sanders"), words by Cesar Felipe Vedani. English words by Dorcas Cochran, 1951.


adiós muchachos compañeros de mi vida
barra querida de aquellos tiempos
me toca a mí hoy emprender la retirada
debo alejarme de mi buena muchachada
adiós, muchachos ya me voy y me resigno
contra el destino nadie la talla
se terminaron para mí todas las farras
mi cuerpo enfermo no resiste más
acuden a mi mente recuerdos de otros tiempos
de los bellos momentos que antaño disfrute
cerquita de mi madre santa viejita
y de mi noviecita que tanto idolatré...


¿Se acuerdan que era hermosa más linda que una diosa y que ebrio yo de amor le di mi corazón mas el Señor, celoso de sus encantos,
hundiéndome en el llanto me la llevó? Es Dios el juez supremo. No hay quien se le resista. Ya estoy acostumbrado su ley a respetar pues mi vida deshizo
con sus mandatos llevandome a mi madre y a mi novia también. Dos lágrimas sinceras
derramo en mi partida por la barra querida que nunca me olvidó y al darles, mis amigos,
mi adiós postrero, les doy con toda mi alma mi bendición... Adiós, muchachos, compañeros de mi vida,
barra querida de aquellos tiempos. Me toca a mí hoy emprender la retirada, debo alejarme de mi buena muchachada.
Adiós, muchachos. Ya me voy y me resigno... Contra el destino nadie la talla... Se terminaron para mí todas las farras, mi cuerpo enfermo no resiste más...


when we are dancing
& you're dangerously near me
I GET IDEAS I GET IDEAS
I want to hold you
so much closer than I dare do
I want to scold you
'cause I care more than I care to
& when you touch me & there's fire in every finger
I GET IDEAS I GET IDEAS
& after we have kissed goodnight
& still you linger I kinda think you get ideas to
your eyes are always saying the things you're never saying
I only hope they're saying that you could love me too
for that's the whole idea, it's true
the lovely idea that I'm falling in love with you



1927
Kern, “Showboat: a musical comedy”


fish got to swim birds got to fly
I got to love one man till I die
CAN’T HELP LOVIN’ DAT MAN OF MINE
tell me he's lazy tell me he's slow
tell me I'm crazy maybe I know
CANT’ HELP LOVIN’ DAT MAN OF MINE


when he goes away
dat's a rainy day
& when he comes back dat day is fine
de sun will shine
he kin come home as late as can be,
home without him ain't no home to me,
CAN’T HELP LOVIN’ DAT MAN OF MINE.




Oh listen sister
I love my mister man
And I can't tell you' why
Dere ain't no reason
Why I should love dat man,
It mus' be sumpin dat de angels done plan
De chimney's smokin'
De roof is leakin' in
But he don't seem to care
Dere ain't no reason why I should love dat man.
It mus' be sumpin' dat de angels done plan.



1927
Jerome Kern, “Showboat: a musical comedy”.

I'm walking on the air dear
for life is fair dear
to lovers
I'm in the seventh heaven
there's more than seven
my heart discovers
In this real impossible & unreal world
finding you has given me my ideal world
why do I love you?
why do you love me?
why should there be two happy as we
can there be a why and wherefore
you should be the one I care for
you're a lucky boy I am lucky too
all our dreams of joy seem to come true
Maybe that's because you love me
Maybe that's why I love you.

1927


ME & MY SHADOW
strolling down the avenue
ME & MY SHADOW
not a soul to tell our troubles to



& when it’s twelve o’clock
we climb the stair
we never knock
for nobody’s there -- just
ME & MY SHADOW
all alone & feelin’ blue





1928
Noël Coward From “This year of grace” a revue. Duetto with Jessie Matthews.


A ROOM WITH A VIEW
& you,
& no-one to worry us
no one to hurry us thru
this dream we've found
we'll gaze at the sky
& try
to guess what it's all about
then we will figure out why
the world is round



we'll be as happy and contented as birds upon a tree,
high above the mountains and the sea.
we'll bill & we'll coo
& sorrow will never come
oh will it ever come true
our room with a view


I've been cherishing,
Through the perishing
winter nights and days,
A funny little phrase
That means so much to me,
That you've got to be
With me heart and soul,
For on you the whole thing leans.
Come with me and leave the noisy crowds,
Sunlight shines for us above the clouds.
Please don't turn away
Or my dream will stay
Hidden out of sight,
Among a lot of "might have beens".
A room with a view,
And you,
And no-one to give advice,
That sounds like a paradise few
Could fail to choose.
With fingers entwined,
We'll find
Relief from the preachers
Who always beseech us to mind
Our P's and Q's.
We'll watch the whole world pass before us while we are sitting still,
Leaning on our own window sill.
We'll bill and we'll coo-ooo-oo,
And maybe a stork will bring
This, that and t'other thing
to our room with a view.



1928
Ted Shapiro, Jimmy Campbell & Reg Connelly. The Prince of Wales’s favourite fox trot.



I could show the world how to smile
I could be glad all of the while
there's nothin' I couldn’t do
IF I HAD YOU


I could be a king dear uncrowned
humble or poor rich or renowned
I could change the gray clouds to blue
IF I HAD YOU



I could climb a snow-capped mountain
sail the mighty ocean wide
I could cross the burning desert
IF I HAD YOU you by my side


I could leave the old days behind
leave all my pals I'd never mind
there's nothin' I wouldn't do
IF I HAD YOU




1928
Noel Coward, “This year of Grace: a revue”. With Beatrice Lillie.


World weary, world weary
Living in a world of grey
I found it so dreary
I want an ocean blue deep blue seas
A good view of the Pyrenees.






1928
w.m. Dave Dreyer, Al Jolson & Billy Rose





the bird with feathers of blue
is waiting for you
BACK IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD
you'll see your castles in Spain
thru your window pane
BACK IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD


oh you can go to the East
go to the West
but someday you'll come
weary at heart
back where you started from
you'll find your happiness lies
right under your eyes
BACK IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD

1928
w. Dorothy Fields m. Jimmy McHugh , introduced by Adelaide Hall at Les Ambassadeurs Club in New York in January in Lew Leslie's Blackbird Revue. Fats Waller might have sold the melody to McHugh in 1926, the lyrics may have bee by Andy Razaf. Fields' verse is almost identical to the end of the second verse of Lorenz Hart's and Richard Rodgers' song "Where's That Rainbow?" from Peggy-Ann, the 1926 musical comedy with book by Fields' brother Herbert and produced by their father Lew. My luck will vary surely, That's purely a curse. My luck has changed--it's gotten From rotten to worse.


I CAN’T GIVE YOU ANYTHING BUT LOVE -- BABY
that's the only thing I've plenty of -- baby.
dream a while scheme a while
you're sure to find
happiness & I guess
all those things you've always pined -- for
gee it's great to see you looking swell -- baby.
diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell -- baby.
till that lucky day
you know darn well -- baby
I CAN’T GIVE YOU ANYTHING BUT LOVE.



gee but it's tough to be broke kid
it's not a joke kid it's a curse
my luck is changing it's gotten
from simply rotten to something worse


who knows someday I will win too
I'll begin to reach my prime
now that I see what our end is
all I can spend is just my time





1928
w. Gus Kahn m. Walter Donaldson., “Whoopee: a musical comedy”, Broadway -- book, based on Owen Davis's play The Nervous Wreck, written by William Anthony McGuire. The song itself is a "dire warning", largely to men, about the "trap" of marriage. It begins with the celebration of a wedding, honeymoon and marital bliss, but moves on to babies and responsibilities, and ultimately on to affairs and possible divorce, ending with a judge's advice.


another bride another June
another sunny honeymoon
another season another reason -- for
MAKIN’ WHOPEE

a lot of shoes, a lot of rice
the groom is nervous, he answers twice
it's really killin' that he's so willin'
to make whoopee


picture a little love nest
down where the roses cling
picture the same sweet love nest
& think what a year can bring
he's washin' dishes and baby clothes
he's so ambitious he even sews
but don't forget folks
that's what you get folks, for
MAKIN’ WHOPEE



Another year, or maybe less
What's this I hear? Well you can guess
She feels neglected, and he's suspected
Of making whoopee
She sits alone, most every night
He doesn't phone; he doesn't write
He says he's busy, but she says "Is he?"
He's making whoopee
He doesn't make much money
Only five thousand per
Some judge who thinks he's funny
Says you'll pay six to her
He says, "Now judge, suppose I fail?"
The judge says: "Budge, right into jail"
You'd better keep her, I think it's cheaper
Than making whoopee





1928
w.m. Mark Fisher, Joe Goodwin & Larry Shay



WHEN YOU’RE SMILING when you’re smiling
THE WHOLE WORLD SMILES WITH YOU
when you're laughing when you're laughin'
the sun comes shining thru


but when you're crying
you bring on the rain
so stop your sighing
& be happy again
keep on smiling, keep on smilin'
& the whole world smiles with you


1928
w. B.G. DeSylva & Lew Brown m. Ray Henderson



YOU’RE THE CREAM IN MY COFFEE
you’re the salt in my stew
you will always be my necessity
I’d be lost without you.


you’re the starch in my collar,
you’re the lace in my shoe;
you will always be my necessity--
I’d be lost without you.



Most men tell love tails,
And each phrase dovetails.
You’ve heard each known way,
This way is my own way.

you’re the sail of my love boat
you’re the captain and crew
you will always be my necessity
I’d be lost without you.

you give life savour,
bring out its flavour;
so this is clear, dear,
you’re my worcestershire, dear.



1928
I and. G. Gershwin, “Treasure girl: a musical comedy”.

I'VE GOT A CRUSH ON YOU sweetie pie
all the day & night-time hear me sigh
I never had the least notion that
I could fall with so much emotion
could you coo could you care
for a cunning cottage we could share
the world will pardon my mush
'cause I have got a crush my baby on you.


How glad the many millions of Annabelles & Lillians
would be to capture me
but you had such persistence
you wore down my resistance
I fell and it was swell
I'm your big and brave and handsome Romeo
How I won you I shall never never know
It's not that you're attractive
But, oh, my heart grew active
when you came into view.








1928
Gershwin, “East is West: an operetta”.


embrace me
my sweet EMBRACEABLE YOU
embrace me
you irreplaceable you
just one look at you
my heart grew tipsy
in me
you & you alone
bring out the gypsy in me
I love all
the many charms
about you
above all
I want these arms
about you
don't be a naughty baby
come to papa do
my sweet embraceable you.



1928


In Spain the best upper set do it
Not to mention the Finns
Folks in Siam do it
Think of Siamese twins.
Some argentines without means do it
They say in Boston even beans do it
Let’s do it
Let’s fall in love



1928
Sigmund Romberg/Oscar Hammerstein II,“The new moon”: a musical comedy”.


the sky was blue
& high above
the moon was new
& so was love
this eager heart of mine was singing
lover where can you be
you came at last
love had its day
that day is past
you’ve gone away
this aching heart of mine is singing
LOVER COME BACK TO ME



when I remember every little thing you used to do
I'm so lonely
every road I walk along I walk along with you
no wonder I am lonely.
the sky is blue
the night is cold
the moon is new
but love is old
& while I’m waiting here
this heart of mine is singing
LOVER COME BACK TO ME


You went away
I let you
We broke the ties that bind
I wanted to forget you
And leave the past behind
Still, the magic if the night I met you
Seems to stay forever in my mind





1928
Vivian Ellis. Revue, “Will-o’the-Whispers”


I built my hopes on mountains high
There was no ceiling to my sky
But I NEVER DREAMED I’D FALL IN LOVE WITH ME











1929
Oscar Levant/Sidney Clare, Loveable and sweet.
















1929
Rodgers/Hart, “Spring is here: a musical comedy”, Broadway. Introduced by John Hundley and Lillian Taiz.





WITH A SONG IN MY HEART
I behold your adorable face
just a song at the start
but it soon is a hymn to your grace
when the music swells
I'm touching your hand
it tells that your're standing near &.


at the sound of your voice
heaven opens its portals to me
can I help but rejoice
that a song such as ours came to be
but I always knew
I would live life thru
WITH A SONG IN MY HEART for you



Though I know that we meet ev'ry night
and we couldn't have change since the last time,
to my joy & delight,
it's a new kind of love at first sight.
though it's you and it's I all the time
ev'ry meeting's marvelous pastime.
You're increasingly sweet,
so whenever we happened to met
I greet you ...

Oh, the moon's not a moon for a night
and these stars will not twinkle and fade out,
and the words in my ears
will resound for the rest of my years.
In the morning I find with delight
not a note of our music is played out.
It will be just as sweet,
and an air that I'll live to repeat:
I greet you ...





1929
Razaf/Denniker. Written by Denniker with Razaf providing lyrics it become a hit for crooner Rudy Vallee and even inspired a whole series of similar songs--a cycle to which Denniker and Razaf were pleased to contribute, thus giving birth to "Wontcha" and "Perhaps".



S’POSIN’ I should fall in love with you
do you think that you could love me too
S’POSIN’ I should hold you & caress you
would it impress you or distress you
S’POSIN’ I should say for you I yearn
would you think I'm speaking out of turn &
S’POSIN’ I declare it
would you take my love & share it
I'm not S’POSIN’ I'm in love with you.


1929
Noel Coward, “Bitter sweet: a musical comedy”. London.
If love were all












1929
Porter
In olden days a glimpse of stocking
Was looked on as something shocking
now heaven knows
ANYTHING GOES
Good authors too who once used better prose
Now only use four-letter words in writing prose
ANYTHING GOES
If driving fast cars




1929
Noel Coward. “Bitter sweet: a musical comedy”. Tenor role created by R. Metaxa


I’LL SEE YOU AGAIN
whenever spring breaks thru again
time may lie heavy between
but what has been
is past forgetting

this sweet memory
throughout the years will come to me
tho’ my world may go awry
in my heart will ever lie
just the echo of a sigh -- goodbye.







1929
Cliffored Grey/Vivian Ellis – “Mister Cinders: a musical comedy”, London, Alhambra.
even when the darkest clouds are in the sky
you mustn’t sigh and you mustn’t cry
just SPREAD A LITTLE HAPPINESS as you go by, please try-
I’ve got a creed
For every need
So easy that it must succeed








1929
w.m. Cole Porter. “Fifty Million Frenchmen: a musical comedy”. Introduced by William Gaxton.
YOU DO SOMETHING TO ME
something that simply mystifies me
tell me why should it be
you have the power to hypnotize me
Let me live 'neath your spell,
Do do that voodoo
that you do so well -- for
YOU DO SOMETHING TO ME
that nobody else could do.





Since you came my way
I am bound to say
things I once thought gloomy
now both bright and gay.
I'm so happy now,
and I'm sure somehow,
of this transformation
there can be but
one explanation:


I was mighty blue,
thought my life was through,
till the heavens opened,
and I gazed at you.
Won't you tell me, dear,
Why, when you appear,
something happens to me
and the strangest feeling
goes through me?





1929
Cole Porter, Wake up & dream: a musical comedy”, Introduced by Elsie Carlisle.


I was a humdrum person
leading a life apart
when love flew in through my window wide
and quickened my humdrum heart

love flew in through my window
I was so happy then
but after love had stayed a little while
love flew out again

WHAT IS THIS THING CALLED LOVE
this funny thing called love
just who can solve its mystery
why should it make
a fool of me?

I saw you there
one wonderful day
you took my heart
and threw it away
thats why I ask the lord
in heaven above
WHAT IS THIS THING CALLED LOVE
WHAT IS THIS THING CALLED LOVE
this funny thing called love
just who can solve its mystery
why should it make a fool of me?

I saw you there
one wonderful day
you took my heart
and threw it away
thats why I ask the lord
in heaven above
WHAT IS THIS THING CALLED LOVE



1929
Cole Porter, “Anything goes”.
At words poetic I’m so pathetic
You’re the top.






1929
KEEP YOUR SUNNY SIDE UP up.
hide the side that gets blue
if you have nine sons in a row
baseball teams make money you know.
keep you funny side up up.
let your laughter ring thru thru
stand upon you legs.
be like two fried eggs.
KEEP YOUR SUNNY SIDE UP
Keep your sunny side up,up
Hide the side that gets blue
When their team is knocking you flat
smile and say'we're beter than that
You got keep your sunny side up, up
Let your laughter shine through ,do stand upon your legs
Be like two fried eggs keep your sunny side up



1929
Horatio Nicholls.
You used to write your letters, with all my love and kisses,
But it’s only yours sincerely now.










1929
Joe Burke/Al Dubin, “The Gold Diggers of Broadway”.


tiptoe thru the window
in the garden that is where I'll be
come TIPTOE THRU THE TULIPS
with me
oh tiptoe from the garden
to the shadow of the willow tree
& TIPTOE THRU THE TULIPS
with me





knee deep in flowers we'll stray
we'll keep the showers away
& if I kiss you in the garden in the moonlight
will you pardon me
& TIPTOE THRU THE TULIPS
with me





1929
Cole Porter, “Paris: a musical comedy”.


we're all alone no chaperone
can get our number
the world's in slumber
LET’S MISBEHAVE
there's something wild about you child
that's so contagious
let's be outrageous
LET’S MISBEHAVE



when Adam won Eve's hand
he wouldn't stand for teasin'.
he didn't care about those apples out of season
they say that spring means just one little thing
to little lovebirds
we're not above birds
LET’S MISBEHAVE


You could have a great career,
And you should;
Yes you should.
Only one thing stops you dear:
You're too good;
Way too good
If you want a future, darlin',
Why don't you get a past?
'Cause that fateful moment's comin' at last


It's getting late & while I wait
My poor heart aches on
Why keep the breaks on?
Let's misbehave
I feel quite sure affaire d'amour
Would be attractive
While we're still active
let's misbehave!



You know my heart is true
And you say you for me care...
Somebody's sure to tell,
But what the heck do we care?
They say that bears have love affairs
And even camels
We're men and mammals
let's misbehave



We’re all alone The world alone Has made us blunder We’re on the wonder Let’s misbehave.


1929
Victor Schertzinger/Clifford Grey, "The Love Parade" -- Jeanette MacDonald and Maurice Chevalier







I’ve a pair of arms to hug & hold
but nobody’s using 'em now
I’ve loads of love if truth be told
but NOBODY’S USING IT NOW

I’ve a world of time that’s all my own
they say that you get silly if you spend it alone
I’m telling the truth
I’m just wasting my youth
but NOBODY’S USING IT NOW.







1929
w. Al Dubin m. Joe Burke, “The Gold Diggers of Broadway”. Introduced by Nick Lucas.



when I pretend I'm gay
I never feel that way
I'm only
PAINTING THE CLOUDS WITH SUNSHINE
when I hold back a tear
to make a smile appear
I'm only
PAINTING THE CLOUDS WITH SUNSHINE



painting the blue beautiful hues
coloured with gold & old rose
playing the clown
trying to drown all of my woes

tho’ things may not look bright
they all turn out alright
if I keep
PAINTING THE CLOUDS WITH SUNSHINE



1929
“Ain’t misbehaving’: a musical comedy”. New York.


No one to talk to, all by myself
No one to walk with, but I’m happy by the shelf
AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’
I’m saving my love for you.
I know for certain the one I love
I’m thru with flirtin’ it’s just you I’m thinking of
AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’
I’m saving my love for you



Like Jack Horner, in the corner
don’t do nothing, what would I care
Your kisses are worth waiting for, believe me
I don’t go out now, nowhere to go
I’m hope about eight just my and my radio
AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’
I’m saving my love for you.
1929
Arthur Freed/Nacio Herb Brown, “The Hollywood Revue of 1929”






YOU WERE MEANT FOR ME I was meant for you


nature fashioned you & when she was done
you were all those good things rolled into one
you're like a plaintive melodee
that never lets me be
I’m content , the angels must have sent you
& they meant you just for me


Life was a song
You came along
I lay awake the whole night through
If I should dare
To think you care
This is what I'd say to you