Still OK/ Mary Martin
Posted by SR on October 05, 2004
In Reply to: Oakey/Dokey posted by SR on October 05, 2004
: : : : : : : : : : : : Lena Horne uses the line "I'm broke, That's oak" in her version of "That's Why the Lady is a Tramp".
: : : : : : : : : : : : Is to say something is oak a real expression or poetic license?
: : : : : : : : : : : I'm broke, that's oke (okay).
: : : : : : : : : : Intersting.
: : : : : : : : : Are you skptical of my interprtation? Well, why not? SS
: : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : : I'm utterly sincere and not skeptical at all. I'd have never thought to interpret it that way. But it wouldn't be the first time spelling has led me astray. I was guessing "oak", possibly as in solid or for sure, but I'd never heard the expression. Did you find the lyric somewhere?
: : : : : : : Nah.
: : : : : :
: : : : : : It is (or was) presumably a new coining because something had to be found which rhymed with 'broke'.
: : : : : : DFG
: : : : : Those are the lyrics as written.
: : : : I imagine that the spelling is to avoid any doubt about the pronunciation. The song is intended to be performed - when you hear a song, you can't tell how the words are spelled!
: : :
: : : Frank-Sinatra's Lyrics - Lady Is a Tramp Lyrics
: : : Writer(s): rodgers/hart
: : : She gets too hungry, for dinner at eight
: : : She loves the theater, but doesn't come late
: : : She'd never bother, with people she'd hate
: : : That's why the lady is a tramp
: : : Doesn't like crap games, with barons and earls
: : : Won't go to harlem, in ermine and pearls
: : : Won't dish the dirt, with the rest of those girls
: : : That's why the lady is a tramp
: : : She loves the free, fresh wind in her hair
: : : Life without care
: : : She's broke, but it's o'k
: : : She hates california, it's cold and it's damp
: : : That's why the lady is a tramp
: : : Doesn't like dice games, with sharpies and frauds
: : : Won't go to harlem, in lincolns or fords
: : : Won't dish the dirt, with the rest of those broads
: : : That's why the lady is a tramp
: : :
: :
: : I'm impressed you found the lyrics. I couldn't find them. I've notices the lyric can vary a bit depending on who is performing. I have Lena, Mel and Frank and I'd almost swear each is a little different. Sadly the words aren't written down.
: Note the difference between the Sinatra version and the Fitzgerald lyrics. The queried line is still 'okay.'
: Track Title: The Lady Is A Tramp
: Album Title: Rodgers and Hart Songbook, disc 3
: Prime Artist: Ella Fitzgerald
: Lyrics by: Lorenz Hart
: Music by: Richard Rodgers
: Producer: Norman Granz
: From the Show: Babes In Arms 1937 (S) 1939 (M)
: Lyrics:
: I've wined and dined on Mulligan Stew, and never wished for Turkey
: As I hitched and hiked and grifted too, from Maine to Albuquerque
: Alas, I missed the Beaux Arts Ball, and what is twice as sad
: I was never at a party where they honored Noel Ca-ad (Coward)
: But social circles spin too fast for me
: My "hobohemia" is the place to be
: I get too hungry, for dinner at eight
: I like the theater, but never come late
: I never bother, with people I hate
: That's why the lady is a tramp
: I don't like crap games, with barons and earls
: Won't go to Harlem, in ermine and pearls
: Won't dish the dirt, with the rest of the girls
: That's why the lady is a tramp
: I like the free, fresh wind in her hair
: Life without care
: I'm broke, it's o'k
: Hate California, it's cold and it's damp
: That's why the lady is a tramp
: I go to Coney, the beach is devine
: I go to ballgames, the bleachers are fine
: I find a Winchell, and read every line
: That's why the lady is a tramp
: I like a prizefight, that isn't a fake
: I love the rowing, on Central Park lake
: I go to Opera and stay wide awake
: That's why the lady is a tramp
: I like the green grass under my shoes
: What can I lose, I'm flat, that's that
: I'm alone when I lower my lamp
: That's why the lady is a tramp
Just another version for the Camel!
The Lady Is a Tramp/ Mary Martin
From Babes In Arms
Lyrics by Lorenz Hart, music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics published on The Complete Lyrics of Lorenz Hart
[Merchandise links] [Discography]
Keywords: Society / Famous People / New York
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VERSE
I've wined and dined on Mulligan stew
And never wished for turkey
As I hitched and hiked and grifted, too,
From Maine to Albuquerque.
Alas, I missed the Beaux Arts Ball,
And what is twice as sad,
I was never at a party
Where they honored Noel Ca' ad.
But social circles spin too fast for me.
My Hobohemia is the place to be.
REFRAIN 1
I get too hungry for dinner at eight
I like the theater but never come late
I never bother with people I hate
That's why the lady is a tramp
I don't like crapgames with Barons and Earls
Won't go to Harlem in ermine and pearls
Won't dish the dirt with the rest of the girls
That's why the lady is a tramp
I like the free fresh wind in my hair
Life without care
I'm broke, it's oke
Hates California is cold and is damp
That's why the lady is a tramp
REFRAIN 2
I go to Coney-the beach is divine.
I go to ball games-the bleachers are fine.
I follow Winchell and read ev'ry line.
That's why the lady is a tramp.
I like a prizefight that isn't a fake.
I love the rowing on Central Park Lake.
I go to opera and stay wide awake.
That's why the lady is a tramp.
I like the green grass under my shoes.
What can I lose?
I'm flat! That's that!
I'm all alone when I lower my lamp.
That's why the lady is a tramp.
REFRAIN 3 (reprise)
Don't know the reason for cocktails at five.
I don't like flying-I'm glad I'm alive.
I crave affection, but not when I drive.
That's why the lady is a tramp.
Folks go to London and leave me behind.
I'll miss the crowning, Queen Mary won't mind.
I don't play Scarlett in Gone With the Wind-
That' s why the lady is a tramp.
I like to hang my hat where I please.
Sail with the breeze.
No dough-heigh-ho!
I love La Guardia and think he's a champ.
That' s why the lady is a tramp.
REFRAIN 4 (reprise)
Girls get massages, they cry and they moan.
Tell Lizzie Arden to leave me alone.
I'm not so hot, but my shape is my own.
That's why the lady is a tramp!
The food at Sardi's is perfect, no doubt.
I wouldn't know what the Ritz is about.
I drop a nickel and coffee comes out.
That's why the lady is a tramp!
I like the sweet, fresh rain in my face.
Diamonds and lace,
No got-so what?
- Still OK/ Mary Martin Word Camel 06/October/04