GIVE IT BACK TO THE INDIANS
fr "Too Many Girls" 1939 New York musical sb Mary Jane Walsh
Richard Rodgers (m) Laurenz Hart (l)  1939

as rec by Ella Fitzgerald w Buddy Bregman & his Orch 
 Aug 28th 1956 Los Angeles

also rec by-
Nancy Andrews '88
Ray Charles
Lee Wiley w Ellis Larkins


Old Peter Minuit had nothing to lose
When he bought the isle of Manhattan
For twenty six dollars and a bottle of booze,
And they threw in The Bronx and Staten!

Pete thought that he had the best of the bargain,
But the poor red man just grinned,
And he grunted "ugh!", meaning "okay!" in his jargon,
For he knew poor Pete was skinned!

We've tried to run the city,
But the city ran away!
And now, Peter Minuit,
We can't continue it!

Broadway's turning into Coney,
Champagne Charlie's drinkin' gin,
Old New York is new and phoney,
Give it back to the Indians!

Two cents more to smoke a Lucky,
Dodging buses keep you thin,
Now New York is simply ducky,
Give it back to the Indians!

Take all the reds on the boxes made for soul,
Whites on Fifth Avenue,
Blues down in in Wall Street losing hope;
Big bargain today,
Chief take it away!

Come you busted city slickers,
Better take it on the chin!
Father Nick has lost his knickers,
Give it back to the Indians!

Take all the reds on the boxes made for soul,
Whites on Fifth Avenue,
Blues down in in Wall Street losing hope;
Big bargain today,
Chief take it away!

Come you busted city slickers,
Better take it on the chin!
Father Nick has lost his knickers,
Give it back to the Indians!



(Transcribed by Peter Akers - October 2011)