From the 1925 musical “Tip-Toes”.
Words by Ira Gershwin.
Music by George Gershwin.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
There’s a cabaret in this city
I can recommend to you
Peps you up like electricity
When the band is blowing “blue”
They play nothing classic
Oh no! down there
They crave nothing else
But the low down there
If you need a tonic
And the need is chronic
If you’re in a crisis, my advice is
Refrain
Grab a cab and go down
To where the band is playing
Where milk and honey flow down
Where every one is saying
“Blow that sweet and low-down” (tu-tu)
Busy as a beaver, you’ll be
Until you totter
You’re sure to get the fever
For nothing could be hotter
Oh, that sweet and low-down
Philosopher or deacon
You simply have to weaken
Hear those shuffling feet
You can’t keep your seat
Professor! start your beat
Come along! Get in it
You’ll love the syncopation
The minute they begin it
You’re shouting to the nation
“Blow that sweet and low-down”
Sung here by Laurence Rubenstein: