From the 1924 show “Lady Be Good”.
Words by Ira Gershwin.
Music be George Gershwin.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
Got a little rhythm, a rhythm, a rhythm
That pit-a-pats through my brain
So darn persistent, the day is distant
When it’ll drive me insane
Comes in the morning without any warning
And hangs around all day
I’ll have to sneak up to it
Someday, and speak up to it
I hope it listens when I say
Refrain
“Fascinating rhythm
You’ve got me on the go
Fascinating rhythm
I’m all a quiver
What a mess you’re making
The neighbors want to know
Why I’m always shaking
Just like a flivver
Each morning I get up with the sun
(Stars a hopping never stopping)
To find at night, no work has been done
I know that once it didn’t matter
But now you’re doing wrong
When you start to patter I’m so unhappy
Won’t you take a day off?
Decide to run along
Somewhere far away off
And make it snappy
Oh, how I long to be the man I used to be
Fascinating rhythm
Oh, won’t you stop picking on me”
Sung here by Fred Feild: