FIRST PRIZE AT THE FAIR
(Arthur Schwartz (m) Howard Dietz (l) )

as recorded by Buddy Clark
with Mitchell Ayres & his Orchestra
December 30th 1947 New York


It's the time of year again
For the country fair,
Everyone is here again,
Love is in the air.

I never did place
In the piggyback chase,
Fell on my face
In the sack race,
Still I won first prize at the fair!
I couldn't eat fast
When the apple pie passed,
Finished up last
In the track race,
Still I won first prize at the fair!

When we were dancing the square dance,
You said "I love you, I do!";
The man called "Sashay left!",
But I sashayed right to you!

I never came up
with a ribbon or cup,
Still I came up in the clover!
When the fair was over,
I knew
That I had won the first prize in you!

They threw me a curve
With my cherry preserve,
Think of the nerve of the judges!
Still I won first prize at the fair!
My cookies were banned
And my candy was canned,
I understand they have grudges!
Still I won first prize at the fair!

For somehow, during the square dance,
Your true affection came through;
The man called "Do sa do!",
How I do sa dote on you!

"So what!", I declare,
"Was there anyone there
Who could compare with this winning?".
Life was just beginning,
I knew,
Sweet beginning,
Bright and new,
For I had won first prize in you!

Joanna came through,
Mary Anne came through,
Hanna did too,
Even Sophie,
Still I won first prize at the fair!

(Your sugar-cured ham
Didn't pass the exam),
But what a grand slam
Was the wind up!
(You had made your mind up,
I knew!)
Now you know!
Now you know
And I had won the first prize,
(There's the prize he's mad about,
standing over there!)
You were the first prize at the fair!


 




(Transcribed by Peter Akers - February 2014)