Transcribed from Lil Hardin Armstrong and Her
Swing Orchestra, recorded April 15, 1937,.
From Lil
Hardin Armstrong and Her Swing Orchestra, 1936-1940, Chronological Classics,
vol. 564.
Born to dance? No!
Born to prance? No!
Born to sing? No!
Well, you must be born to swing!
Yeah!
I'm just an ordinary gal, that
was born to swing!
[Scats]
Now all the gals on Park Avenue
have a high-brow song to sing,
But I'll stay here on Lennox Avenue,
where I was born to swing.
Now, some folks got plenty money,
some folks got philosophy,
But I've got good old swing, and
it's good enough for me!
So with a song on my lips, and
rhythm in my hips,
I can't go wrong, having my fling,
'Cause I was born to swing!
When I was a baby, maw used to sing
lullabies and nursery themes,
But I never stopped crying, believe
it or not,
Till maw starting swinging and
gettin' real hot!
Old man river can roll along, pick
cotton with Georgia reams,
But I'll roll my eyes and pick
cute guys,
'Cause I was born to swing!
Now, Cleopatra used the jive in
Rome,
Got the same kind of jive right
here at home!
The smoother, faster, for streamlined
feet,
Hear the bold little tune and follow
my lead,
I'm just an ordinary gal that was
born to swing!
[Scats]
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