Lyrics The Blanks - THE BALLAD OF JIMMY DURANTE

Jimmy Durante was once a little boy of only three
Jimmy Durante knew nothin’ ‘bout the birds or ‘bout the bees
Daddy would warn him when you’re a man you’re gonna wanna go ha-cha-cha-da
Better to put out the fire put on a ring and sing in the choir

And his mommy would lecture don’t listen to the ladies in the hall
They wanna get ya but mommy isn’t gonna let ya fall
Pity the kid he sits there and little does he know but the oysters are his
Leavin’ the cloister by christmas stickin’ his nose into everybody’s business

Jimmy go (Jimmy Durante go for it all)
Hit the road and get on with the show (There goes Durante showin' 'em all)
So they don't root for you (So they don't root for you or salute you)
They don't wanna face what that snoot's gonna do
All the while (All of the while who's winkin' at you)
All the girls in the chorus will smile (All of the girls are thinkin' of you)
Spreadin' those curtains apart on the stage

Goodnight mrs Calabash wherever you are
I’m comin’ to get you I’m gonna be a star
You’ve been in my heart girl you’ve never been far
So goodnight mrs Calabash wherever you are

This is your daddy when you’re a man you’re gonna want to go ha-cha-cha-da

Jimmy's live (Jimmy Durante’s live on the stage)
Catch the champ who is takin' a dive (Catch him as Jimmy dives off the stage)
Learned what the ladies lacked (Learned of the ladies turned on the ladies)
Now ev'ryone wants to get into the act
Join the cause (Join in the cause and gimme a chant)
Follow Jim 'cause he follows his schnozz (Follow because of Jimmy Durante's schnozz)
Once there was grievin'

But now even Daddy’s relented he’s sayin’ how it isn’t any crime
The choir director is layin’ down a madrigal in time
Even the Pope is hopin’ he’s happy and he gives him a snappy thumbs-up
Dancin’ the tango with mommy singin’ a hey nonny nonny and a ha-cha-cha