NOTHIN'
From the Broadway Revue "A Night In Spain" (1927)
(Lou Handman / Ray Turk)


Marion Harris (feat. in the Broadway Production) - 1927
Original Memphis Five (vocal: Annette Hanshaw)  - 1927
Nat Shilkret & The Victor Orch. (vocal: Gene Austin) - 1927



For a year or more I've tried to get names
To use as pet names for the one whom I adore
Though it may seem funny now, I've got one
And it is not one that you've ever heard before

I call her Nothin', because she's nothin'
I mean she's nothin' but a sweet, sweet child
And she does nothin', no, she does nothin'
Well, she does nothin' else but drive me wild

My little Nothin' may mean nothin', nothin' to you
But if you try to steal my Nothin', you'll have somethin' to do
I love my Nothin', she's good for nothin'
She's good for nothin' but lovin' me

I'm afraid the name I gave my sweet one
Is such a neat one that you'll all be using it
If your sweetie's hand is your ambition
Here's my permission, 'cause with mine it made a hit

I call her Nothin', because she's nothin'
I mean she's nothin' but a sweet, sweet child
And she does nothin', no, she does nothin'
Well, she does nothin' else but drive me wild

My little Nothin' may mean nothin', nothin' to you
But if you try to steal my Nothin' you'll have somethin' to do
I love my Nothin', she's good for nothin'
She's good for nothin' but lovin' me


********************


As recorded by ANNETTE HANSHAW with the Original Memphis Five
(Red Nichols, Miff Mole, Frank Signorelli, Ray Baudec, George Bohn):


I call him Nothin', because he's nothin'
I mean he's nothin' but a sweet, sweet child
And he does nothin', no, he does nothin'
Well, he does nothin' else but drive me wild

My little Nothin' may mean nothin', nothin' to you
But if you try to steal my Nothin', you'll have somethin' to do
I love my Nothin', 'cause he means nothin'
No, he means nothin' but joy to me



(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - March 2018)