From the musical “The Cat and the Fiddle”, 1931.
Words by Otto Harbach.
Music by Jerome Kern.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- Why was I born with a song in my heart?
On ‘most ev’ry occasion with little persuasion
I find that a ballad’s about to start
I sometimes work, more often play
But whatever I’m doing I’m sure to be brewing
A dear little ditty or lovely lay
Don’t ask me not to sing
I’ve simply got to sing
In two- or three-four time
Always I’m entertaining
In parks on benches there
I sing to wenches there
And though we may get wet
We duet while it’s raining
In my tub I scrub and sing like a lark
After noon I croon, then sing in the dark
Asleep I’ve oftern brayed a lively serenade
There’s not a thing I do I don’t do with a song
Melody soft and low
Melody loud and strong
Melody sends this poor old stumbling
Grouchy, grumbling world along - When day is done and my prayers are said
I am chirping some onesteps or popular fun-steps
That tickle my toes when I get to bed
At early morn, at dawn of day
While I’m pulling my pants on I yod’ling a chanson
Or just vocalizing a round-e-lay
Don’t ask me not to sing
I’ve simply got to sing
In two- or three-four time
Always I’m entertaining
In parks on benches there
I sing to wenches there
And though we may get wet
We duet while it’s raining
On my bike I hike and musicalize
In my planes refrains keep rending the skies
Perched on pianos grand I sing a saraband
There’s not a thing I do I don’t do with a song
Melody soft and low
Melody loud and strong
Melody sends this old pipe organed
Helen Morganed world along