From the film “White Christmas”, 1953.
Words and music by Irving Berlin.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
The the’ter, the the’ter
What’s happened to the the’ter?
Especially where dancing is concerned
Chorus
Chaps who did taps
Aren’t tapping anymore
They’re doing choreography
Chicks who did kicks
Aren’t kicking anymore
They’re doing choreography
Queens with routines
That would stop the show
In days that used to be
One and all they’re not chancing
What we used to call dancing
Instead of dance it’s choreography
Chorus
Jakes who did breaks
Aren’t breaking anymore
They’re doing choreography
Who did soft shoe
Doesn’t do it anymore
He’s doing choreography
Heps who did steps
That would stop the show
In days that used to be
Through the air they keep flying
Like a duck that is dying
Instead of dance it’s choreography
Sung here by Laurence Rubenstein: