SHADY LADY BIRD
From the Broadway Show "Best Foot Forward" (1941)
(Ralph Blane / Hugh Martin)

Helen Schlessinger & Chorus (Broadway Production) - 1941
Benny Goodman & His Orch. (vocal: Peggy Lee) - 1941
Helen Forrest with Harry James & His Orch. (Film Soundtrack) - 1943
Karin Wolfe & Chorus (Off-Broadway Prod.) - 1963
Joyce Breach & William Roy - 2001



I'm gonna be a shady lady bird
I got an awful lot to learn
But if you tell me that my heart's on fire
I'm gonna let it burn

I'm gonna be a shockin' mockin' bird
I'm gonna mingle with the best
I'm gonna try to find my heart's desire
I'm gonna rob the nest

Just like little miss muffett
Eating her whey and curds
When I act a bit tough
I frighten away the birds

I'm gonna be a slummin' hummin' bird
I'm gonna pass along the word
I'm gonna have my fun and never tire
And if my technique seems absurd
That's because I've never been
A shady lady bird.

(Musical Break)

I'm gonna be a shady lady bird
I hope the payment is deferred
For if I fly back safely to my perch
And find the worst has not occurred
That's because I've never been
A shady lady bird.



(Transcribed by Bill Huntley - August 2006)