TOMORROW MOUNTAIN
From the Broadway Musical "Beggar's Holiday" (1946)
(John Latouche / Duke Ellington)
Alfred Drake (Broadway Production) - 1946
Frankie Laine - 1951
Lena Horne - 1957
Jo Stafford - 1958
Ernestine Anderson - 1960
Gene Lowell Singers - 1960
David Serero - 2012
As recorded by FRANKIE LAINE:
Things look gloomy where we are
It's time to follow our lucky star, but where, oh, where
Pack your bags and take my hand
Gonna show you promised land beyond compare
We are trapped in Twilight Alley
There is no place we can run
But I have news of a wonderful valley
Beyond the new rising sun
Just across Tomorrow Mountain
There’s a happy city, they say
Where the people are grand and time is planned
So it’s Christmas every day
By a scotch and soda fountain
There’s a treat in store for us guys
Under cigarette trees, we’ll take our ease
While the cops fan off the flies
Just across Tomorrow Mountain
There’s a life that‘s fancy and free
On a platinum street we’ll plant our feet
It’s a land that’s fair to see
Won’t you travel there with me
(Just across Tomorrow Mountain)
(Every girl is Queen of the May)
And all the kitchens, I’m told, are made with gold
And there ain’t no bills to pay
(Won't you cross that distant mountain)
(Where it rains Chanel No.5)
And the gutters, I think, are lined with mink
While the diamond bushes thrive
(Pigs trot around already roasted)
Won’t you have a slice of ham
(Marshmallows bloom, already toasted)
(And the clouds are made of marmalade and jam)
Can’t you see Tomorrow Mountain
Can’t you watch it shimmer and glow
(It’s a wonderful town that’s upside-down)
(And it’s full of easy dough)
Let's pack our bags and go
(Let's pack our bags tonight and go to)
Tomorrow Mountain
(Let's pack our bags and go)
********************
As recorded by LENA HORNE:
Just across Tomorrow Mountain
There’s a happy city, they say
Where the people are grand and time is planned
So it’s Christmas every day
‘Neath the scotch and soda fountain
There’s a treat in store for us guys
Under cigarette trees, we’ll take our ease
While the cops fan off the flies
There you will be a lucky sinner
With no conscience for your guide
Each horse you pick will be a winner
And the doors of every bank are open wide
For across Tomorrow Mountain
There’s a life that‘s fancy and free
On a platinum street we’ll plant our feet
It’s the land that’s fair to see
Won’t you hurry there with me
Just across Tomorrow Mountain
Every girl is Queen of the May
And the kitchens, I’m told, are lined with gold
And there ain’t no bills to pay
Can’t you cross that distant mountain
Where it rains Chanel No.5
And the gutters, I think, are paved with mink
And the diamond bushes thrive
Pigs trot around already roasted
Won’t you have a slice of ham
Marshmallows bloom, already toasted
And the clouds are made of marmalade and jam
Can’t you see Tomorrow Mountain
Can’t you watch it glimmer and glow
It’s a wonderful town that’s upside-down
And it’s full of easy dough
Won’t you pack your bags and go
********************
As recorded by JO STAFFORD:
Tomorrow, Tomorrow Mountain
Let's go across, let's go across
Let's go just across
Come on, let's go across
Just across Tomorrow Mountain
There's a happy city they say
Where the people are grand and time is planned
So it's Christmas every day
By a scotch and soda fountain
There's a treat in store for us guys
Under cigarette trees we'll take our ease
While the cops fan off the flies
There you will be a lucky sinner
With no conscience for your guide
Each horse you pick will be a winner
And the doors of every bank are open wide
Just across Tomorrow Mountain
There's a life that's fancy and free
On a platinum street we'll plant our feet
It's a land that's fair to see
Won't you travel there with me
(Instrumental Break)
Won't you cross that distant mountain
Where it rains Chanel No 5
And the gutters, I think, are lined with mink
And the diamond bushes thrive
Pigs trot around already roasted
Won't you have a slice o' ham
Marshmallows bloom, already toasted
And the clouds are made of marmalade and jam
Can't you see Tomorrow Mountain
Can't you watch it shimmer and glow
It's a wonderful town that's upside down
And it's full of easy dough
Won't you travel there with me
(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - May 2018)
