Story Behind The Song
The story takes place on the Swiss/German border where a
trainload of travelers are temporarily stranded. The time is
1939 on the brink of World War II. The musiccal score is in
the style of Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Kurt Weill, etc.
Song Description
This song is the fourth of six songs from a romantic/comedy
musical called "Audition...Idiot's Delight". The songs will
mean more if they are listened to in the suggested order.
| Song Length |
2:19 |
Genre |
Pop - Classic, Unique - Unclassified |
| Tempo |
Medium Slow (91 - 110) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Worried |
Subject |
Pride, Hope |
| Language |
English |
Era |
1930 - 1939 |
Lyrics
THE LAST OF THE SONG AND DANCE MEN
HARRY
For our next number, let me tell you about my
greatest worry...besides the world coming to an end.
FRED ASTAIRE IS GOING LATIN.
VAUDEVILLE'S DYING OUT IN OLD MANHATTAN
AND ALL THE KIDS ARE DOIN' "SUSIE Q.".
WAHDOO, WAHDOO, WAHDOO.
NO ONE WANTS TO DANCE AND SING IT.
NO ONE'S LEFT TO BUCK 'N' WING IT.
I AM TALKIN' 'BOUT THE OLD SOFT SHOE.
I'M AFRAID THAT I'M THE LAST
OF THE SONG AND DANCE MEN,
THE LAST OF A VANISHING KIND
AND WHEN WE GO, THEN WHO WILL KNOW
THE "SHUFFLE OFF TO BUFFALO"
AND WHO'S GONNA CARE ABOUT "FLAPS"
AND "RIFFS" AND "SLAPS" AND GOOD OLD "TOE HEEL TOE"?
AH, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THAT FAMOUS "TIME STEP"?
MUST THE PASSING YEARS ERASE THAT BASIC BEAT?
TA DA, TA DA. TA DA. TA DA. TA DA, TA DA
WILL "TRENCHES" BE A MEMORY?
WILL "MAXIE FORD" BE SACKED?
WILL "PULL-BACKS" BE FORGOTTEN THINGS
WHEN "WINGS" DON'T END AN ACT?
MUST THESE BE LOST FOREVER
WHEN THE LAST OF US IS GONE?
OH NO, THE SONG AND DANCE MUST LIVE.
THAT TRADITION HAS SO MUCH TO GIVE.
THE SONG AND DANCE MAN MUST LIVE ON AND ON
copyright 2002 Robert Arthur (ASCAP)