I'D RATHER CALL YOU BABY
Tot Seymour / Vee Lawnhurst

as recorded by Thomas "Fats" Waller & his Rhythm  
September 7th 1937 
New York


Come here baby, let me talk to you!

I could call you scintillating, huh,
Fascinating;
Devastating,
But I'd rather call you baby!
I know a few
High tone phrases, it's true,
But when I talk to you,
My vocabulary
Becomes contrary!

I could call you so hypnotic,
So chaotic
And exotic,
But I'd rather call you baby!
And if you please,
I'd call you names like these,
Do you wanna hear?  Here they are;
Ultra smart, too divine,
Extra special, super fine,
But I'd rather call you mine!

I could call you consequential,
Influential,
And essential,
Come here, you yard dog, I'd rather call you baby, ha-ha!
But every true word means somethin' to you,
And if they really do,
Listen, I can hand you, sister,
A big tongue twister!

Call you aesthetic,
Poetic,
And magnetic,
Ah, but I'd rather call you baby, yes!
I'm not remiss
When I call you names like this,
Swellum kiss,
So sublime,
My heart beats big time!
Yes, I'd rather call you mine!
(scat)
I'd rather call you mine, yes!



(Transcribed by Peter Akers - December 2012)