SING A LITTLE LOW-DOWN TUNE
(Charlie Tobias / Jack Scholl / Murray Mencher)


Annette Hanshaw - 1933
George Olsen & His Music - 1933
Steve Washington & His Orch. - 1933
Ming & Toy - 1936






As recorded by GEORGE OLSEN & HIS MUSIC , female vocalist unknown:


Sing-A-Lee is waiting patiently
China boy is many miles away
He'll return and soon you''ll have to learn
To sing 'em songs in 'Melicanee way

He's heard the modern music of the West
So Sing-A-Lee must sing 'em like the rest

Little Sing-A-Lee sing a low-down tune
By the cherry tree 'neath a mellow moon
Little China boy will be here soon
Singee little low-down tune

Little Sing-A-Lee learn to sing "Hey-Hey"
Like Amelican do a swingee-sway
You will win his heart and he will say
Singee little low-down tune

Fill his cup with the finest tea leaves
Cheer him up till the time that he leaves

Little Sing-A-Lee sing a low-down tune
Little China boy will be here soon
When you're in his arms beneath the Moon
Singee little low-down tune

Aah-aah-aah-aah-aah-aah
Never singee sad song, always singee glad song
Aah-aah-aah-aah-aah-aah
Picky-tricky rhythm, choppy-sticky rhythm
Aah-aah, winky-blinky almond eyes
Aah-aah, make them learn to harmonise

Show him how you syncopate him, gosh yeah
Show him how you became real Hotcha!

Little Sing-A-Lee sing a low-down tune
Little China boy will be here soon
When you're in his arms beneath the Moon
Singee little low-down tune


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


As recorded by ANNETTE HANSHAW, 22nd June 1933:


Sing-A-Lee is waiting patiently
China boy is many miles away
He'll return and soon you''ll have to learn
To sing 'em songs in 'Melicanee way

Little Sing-A-Lee sing a low-down tune
By the cherry tree 'neath the mellow moon
Little China boy will be here soon
Singee little low-down tune

Little Sing-A-Lee learn to sing "Hey-Hey"
Like Amelican do a swingee-sway
You will win his heart and he will say
Singee little low-down tune

Fill his cup with the finest tea leaves
Cheer him up till the time that he leaves

Little Sing-A-Lee sing a low-down tune
Little China boy will be here soon
When you're in his arms beneath the Moon
Singee little low-down tune

(Instrumental Break)

Aay-aay-aay-aay-aay-aay
Never singee sad song, only singee glad song
Aay-aay-aay-aay-aay-aay
Picky-tricky rhythm, choppy-sticky rhythm
Aah-aah, wink your blinky almond eyes
Aah-aah, make 'em learn to harmonise

Little Sing-A-Lee sing a low-down tune
By the cherry tree 'neath the mellow moon
Little China boy will be here soon
Singee little low-down tune

Little Sing-A-Lee sing a low-down tune
Little Sing-A-Lee sing a low-down tune
Mae-ming-bah-hah (sic)
Mae-jon-ee-mah (sic)


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


EXTRA VERSE:

China boy he catch'em plenty joy
In a cabaret across the sea
Songs he hears is music to his ears
You too can make him happy Sing-A-Lee






(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - July 2014)