From the film “Follow the Fleet”, 1936
Words and music by Irving Berlin
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
I haven’t ambitions for lofty positions
That wind up with the wealth of the land
I’ll give you the throne that a king sat on
For just a small baton
Providing you included a band
Chorus
If I could be the wealthy owner
Of a large industry
I would say, “Not for me”
I’d rather lead a band
If I could be a politician
With a chance to dictate
I would say, “Let it wait”
I’d rather lead a band
My every care ceases
I’m rich as old Croesus
When I’ve got ten pieces in hand
If I could have a millionairess
With a whole flock of banks
I would just whisper, “Thanks”
I’d rather lead a band
Patter
A Saxophone, a slide Trombone
A Bass Fiddle and a Drum
A guy at the Piano who makes it hum
A violin, a Clarinet
A hot Trumpet and Guitar
And me with the baton and there you are
Chorus
If I could be the wealthy owner
Of a large industry
I would say, “Not for me”
I’d rather lead a band
If I could be a politician
With a chance to dictate
I would say, “Let it wait”
I’d rather lead a band
Give me a band, yes sir
And not a thing lesser
To be that professor is grand
If Josephine had left Napoleon
And climbed in my lap
I’d say ,”Go back to Nap”
I’d rather lead a band
Sung here by Laurence Rubenstein: