THE DONKEY SERENADE
From the film "The Firefly" (1937)
(Rudolf Friml / Herbert Stothart / Robert Wright / George Forrest -
- Adapted from Friml's 1923 "Chansonette")
Allan Jones (Film Soundtrack) - 1937

Also recorded by : The Andrews Sisters; Mario Lanza;
The Band Of The Royal Corps Of Signals; Stanley Black;
Buckingham Banjos; The Comedy Harmonists; Perry Como;
Dolly Dawn; Martin Denny; Gracie Fields; Irving Fields;
Jerry Hadley; Jose Iturbi; Laurie Johnson; Billy May;
King's Singers; André Kostelanetz; Jeanette MacDonald;
Machito; Tony Martin; Hal McIntyre; The Three Suns;
Jimmy Messene & Nat Gonella; Glenn Miller; Joe Cuba;
Vaughn Monroe; James Moody; 101 Strings; The Orioles;
Jane Powell; Rossendale Male Voice Choir; Artie Shaw;
Earl Wrightson: .............and others.


There's a song in the air
But the fair senorita doesn't seem to care
For the song in the air.
Oh, I'll sing to the mule
If you're sure she won't think that I am just a fool
Serenading a mule.

Amigo mio, does she not have a dainty bray?
(BOY:) Que, esta?
(JONES:) She listens carefully to each little tune you play.
(BOY:) Oh, la bella senorita!
(JONES:) Si, si, mi muchachito,
She'd love to sing it too if only she knew the way.
But try as she may, in her voice there's a flaw
And all that the lady can say
Is hee-haw-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w
Senorita, donkey's feet are
Not so fleet as a mosquito
But so sweet like my chiquita
You're the one for me!

There's a light in her eye
Though she may try to hide it, she cannot deny
There's a light in her eye.
Oh, the charm of her smile
So beguiled Don Diego that he rode a mile
For the charm of her smile.
Amigo mio, is she listening to my song?
(BOY:) Que, esta?
(JONES:) No, no, mi muchachito, how can you be so wrong?
(BOY:) Si, la bella senorita!
(JONES:) Si, si, la senorita,
She'd love to sing it too if only she knew the way.
Her face is a dream, like an angel I saw,
And all that my darling can scream
Is hee-haw-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w
Senorita, donkey's feet are
Not so fleet as a mosquito
But so sweet like my chiquita
You're the one for me!
Ole!


(Contributed by Bill Huntley - December 2004)