[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
From 1937 Musical “BABES IN ARMS,” 1937.
Words by Lorenz Hart.
Music by Richard Rodgers.
Sung and Danced by the Nicholas Brothers (Fayard and Harold).
Copyright ©8 Apr 1937.
The sheet music:
Lyrics
VERSE:
Skeet-Ski-Daddle,
Beedy, weedy, weedy;
Doesn’t mean a thing in English,
But it means a lot up Harlem way.
Skeet-Ski-Daddle,
Beedy, weedy, weedy;
When the tune gets hot and tinglish,
Means a colored person wants to play
At the Old Savoy, that’s what they say.
CHORUS:
Play that music for me and my sweet
All dark people is light on their feet.
Pay no mind to a little conceit,
All dark people is light on their feet
And just the same as flowers get honey
All God’s chilling go buck and wings,
Paleface babies don’t dance in the street,
All dark people are light on their feet.