From the film “Hallelujah”, 1929
Words and music by Irving Berlin
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
The Benevolent Order of the Flat-Footed Waiters
Gave their annual ball
With the price of admission only one half a dollar
They just crowded the hall
Flat-footing around, they suddenly found
An original movement that they call the Swanee Shuffle
It’s for you and for all
Chorus
Learn to do the Swanee Shuffle
Nothing to the Swanee Shuffle
Against the beat, you make your feet
Swanee Shuffle along
If they’re flat just make them flatter
Like a pancake on a platter
I’m telling you, it’s easy to Swanee Shuffle along
Just imitate the way a waiter
Walks with a plate of chow
You needn’t wait, you’ll do it later
So, why not now? I’ll show you how
Come with me where Dixie marches
Marches on its fallen arches
And see them Swanee Shuffle along
Sung here by Laurence Rubenstein: