THE HORSE TOLD ME
From the film "Riding High" (1950)
(Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen)

Bing Crosby (Film Soundtrack) - 1949
Nat King Cole - 1949
Dennis Day - 1950



In the big Handicap there's a positive snap
Go bet on a horse called 'The Sheik'
He'll walk off with the crown if he doesn't fall down
And, my boy, that's what happened last week

Oh, the Owner told Clarence the clocker
The clocker told jockey McGee
The jockey, of course, passed it on to the horse
And the horse told me

Tell the age of the beast by his teeth, and at least
His teeth in the paddock looked great
But this toothy old red had to sneeze in the stretch
And he won by the loss of a plate

Oh, the Owner told Clarencee the clocker
The clocker told jockey McGee
The jockey, of course, passed it on to the horse
And the horse told me

I once bet on a steed of phenominal speed
Boy, she was fast as Aunt Nell
But the judges they cried, "This one's disqualified!
There's a jet engine under her tail"

Oh, the Owner told Clarence the clocker
The clocker told jockey McGee
The jockey, of course, passed it on to the horse
And the horse told me

Tomorrow I'll bet just for kicks that I'll get
What's gold is just ol' yeller lead
I can lose with a grin, if the horse don't come in
I'll just blow a big hole in my head

Oh, the Owner told Clarence the clocker
The clocker told jockey McGee
The jockey, of course, passed it on to the horse
And the horse told me

I had put down a deuce on a tip that got loose
This horse in the paddock looked stunning
I had overheard talk he could win in a walk
And he could, but the others were runnin'

Oh, the Owner told Clarence the clocker
The clocker told jockey McGee
The jockey, of course, passed it on to the horse
And the horse told me

That's what he said!



(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - June 2006)