TEN LITTLE FINGERS AND TEN LITTLE TOES
(Words by Harry Pease, Johnny White / Music by Ira Schuster, Ed. G. Nelson, 1921)


I met a pal from Tennessee, and with a smile he greeted me, 
for he was feeling happy, mighty snappy, jumping up and down with glee; 
he got good news from home today, and that's the reason he felt gay, 
I thought it was simply great, just had to congratulate, when I heard him say:

He said "I'm leaving town today, I hope and pray there's no delay,
I'm going to get my ticket, double quick it, not a thing could make me stay; 
I long to see my little prize, and look in those baby eyes, 
just try to imagine me, back home in Tennessee, oh, what paradise:

"I've got ten little fingers, and ten little toes, 
down in Tennessee, waiting there for me, I never had a baby call me "Da-da", 
how proud I know I'll be, when I hear it calling me, 
Oh gee! I'll kiss every finger, I'll kiss every toe, 
at home sweet home I'll linger for they'll need me there I know; 
although it only weighs ten pounds and just one day old, 
I wouldn't give it up for all the world and it's gold, 
for I've got ten little fingers, and ten little toes, waiting down in Tennessee for me.

"I've got ten little fingers, and ten little toes, 
down in Tennessee, waiting there for me, 
Oh, how I'll hold it, in my arms enfold it,
when night time shadows creep, I will lull it fast asleep, 
and then I'll count every finger, I'll count every toe, 
close to his side I'll linger for he'll want me there I know, 
if he looks like his mother what a child he must be, 
but if he looks like me then he's got my sympathy, 
for I've got ten little fingers and ten little toes, waiting down in Tennessee for me.