Oakey/Dokey

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