THE GIRLFRIEND OF THE WHIRLING DERVISH
From the film "Garden Of The Moon" (1938)
(Harry Warren / Al Dubin / Johnny Mercer)

John Payne, Jerry Colonna, Johnnie Davis,
Ray Mayer & Joe Venuti (Film Soundtrack) - 1938
Skinnay Ennis & His Orch. - 1938
Martin Denny - 1960
Connie Stevens - 1962
Chet Atkins - 1962
Johnny Mercer - 1971
Bette Midler (feat. in the film "For The Boys") - 1991
Trudi Mann - 1999
Hotpoint Stringband (vocal: Mark Hellenberg) - 1999

Also recorded by:
Hoosier Hot Shots; Markko Polo Adventurers; Tom Hobson.



One fine day, I chanced to stray
On a little side street in old Bombay
And met a sentimental oriental
She saw me and I saw she
Had a manner too bold and much too free
Her eyes were positively detrimental
When I asked about this gay coquette
I discovered much to my regret....

She's the girl friend of the whirling dervish
She's the sweetest one he's found
But ev'ry night, in the mellow moonlight
When he's out dervishing with all his might
She gives him the run-around

All the boy friends of the whirling dervish
Are his best friends to his face
But there's no doubt, when he isn't about
They all come hurrying to take her out
She leads him a dizzy pace

He dreams of a Hindu honeymoon
He doesn't dream that ev'ry night when he goes out
To make an honest rupee
She steps out to make a lotta whoopee

Oh, the love song of the whirling dervish
Has a sweet and tender sound
But will he burn if he ever should learn
That while he's doing her a real good turn
She gives him the runaround

She's got a nervish, throwin' him a curvish
Which, of course, he doesn't deservish
Poor old whirling dervish!