A popular song from 1956.
Words by Buddy Kaye.
Music by A. Giacomazzi and Clyde Hamilton.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
When I was just a little child
A little theme would drive me wild
My lips would hum it, fingers drum it
It was an organ grinder’s tune
And I would wait each afternoon
To hear his jingle, ting-a-lingle
And when I’d ask him what he called
This song that had me so enthralled
His eyes would glisten and I’d listen
He’d say “It’s joost-a melody
I brought-a back from Italy”
That’s how I came to name it
The Italian Theme
As the notes would ring
A monkey on a string
Would dance until you’d bring a penny
On and on he played
His sidewalk serenade
The joys he brought my heart were many
Altho the years have come and gone
That melody still lingers on
I love it dearly, hear it clearly
It always will be part of me
And live within the heart of me
That gentle, sentimental, sweet Italian theme
Interlude
Hmm, when I was young
Hmm, that song was sung
Oh, how very fast my heart would beat
When I heard the song coming down the street
Hmm, I hope and pray
He still comes around the same old way
Thrilling little hearts each afternoon
With his lilting hurdy gurdy tune