COULD YOU USE ME?
George Gershwin (m) Ira Gershwin (l) 1930

as rec by Judy Garland & Mickey Rooney 
w Georgie Stoll & his Orch  Nov 4th 1943 Hollywood


[mr]
Have some pity on an Easterner,
Show a little sympathy,
No one possibly could be sterner
Than you have been with me!

There's a job that I'm applyin' for,
Let me put it to you thus;
It's a partnership I'm dyin' for -
Mrt and Mrs Us!
Before you file it on the shelf,
Let me tell you of myself;

Oh, I'm the chappie
To make you happy,
I'll tie your shoesies
And chase your bluesies,
Oh lady, would ya,
Oh lady, could you use me?

I'd shake the mat out
and out the cat out,
I'd clean the garret
and feed the parrot,
Oh lady, would you,
Oh tell me, could you use me?

Do you realise what a good man
You're getting in me?
I'm no Elk, Mason or Woodman
Who gets home at three!

The girls who see me
Grow soft and dreamy,
But I'm a gander
Who won't philander!
Oh, could you use me?
'Cause I certainly could use you!

[jg]
There's a chap I know in Mexico
Who's as strong as he can be!
Eating nails and drinking Texaco,
He is the type for me!

There is one in California,
More romantic far than you!
When he sings Otchi-Tchorniya,
I often think he'll do!

But as for you sir, I'm afraid
You will never make the grade!

For you're no cowboy,
You're soft, and how, boy!
I feel no muscle
That's fit for tussle!
I must refuse you,
I cannot use you,
Excuse me!

No nightlife for you,
The birds would bore you!
The cows won't know you,
A horse would throw you!
You silly man, you,
To ask me, "Can you use me?".
Huh!

Though at love you may be a wizard,
I'm wanting to know,
Could you warm me up in a blizzard,
Say forty below?

Your ties are freakish,
Your knees are weakish,
You're not a spender,
You elbow bender!

Though you can use me,
I most certainly can't use you!




(Transcribed by Peter Akers - February 2011)