POOR MR. CHISHOLM aka HOE DOWN THE BAYOU
From the Movie "Second Chorus" (1940)
(Bernie Hanighen / Johnny Mercer)

Fred Astaire


Poor Mr. Chisholm
Played on the mandolin
But he couldn't win
Cause he tried to swing
And he broke a string every time

Poor Mr. Chisholm
Just couldn't dig the jive
When he did arrive at the proper note
He arrived by boat every time

He tried to jazz up his mandolin
But never could quite control it
He always brought Bach and Handel in
When it took a lick, he always broke a pick

Poor Mr. Chisholm
You're quite a gay old blade
With your serenade, but you're corny, Jack
Better truck on back to Dubuque
Get a Uke-
You disgrace your kin
On the mandolin every time


(Transcribed by Carlene Bogle - May 2005)



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POOR MISTER CHISHOLM (Fred Astaire & Perry Botkin)
Bernie Hannighen (m) Johnny Mercer (l)  1940

as recorded by Fred Astaire 
with Perry Botkin & his Band  
September 22nd 1940 
Los Angeles


Got a mandolin, bought it secondhand,
From a Mister Chisholm in the local band.
Had the sweetest tone, resonant and low,
Often made you wonder why he let it go!
If you have the time, how they parted company,
And he offered it for sale, mate, fascinating bail!

Poor Mr. Chisholm
Played on the mandolin,
But he couldn't win
Cause he tried to swing
And he broke a string,
Every time!

Poor Mr. Chisholm
Just couldn't dig the jive;
When he did arrive
At the proper note
He arrived by boat
Every time!

He tried to jazz up his mandolin,
But never could quite control it.
He always brought Bach and Handel in;
When it took a lick
He always broke a pick!

Poor Mr. Chisholm,
You're quite a gay old blade
With your serenade!
But you're corny, Jack,
Better truck on back
To Dubuque,
Get a uke!
You disgrace your kin
On the mandolin
Every time!

What a man!
You disgrace your kin
On the mandolin
Every time!



(Transcribed by Peter Akers - October 2012)