The tone of this record sounds unabashedly sentimental, yet I'm afraid it would provoke laughter from a modern audience. In other words, it's an example of unintentional bathos.


AT A LITTLE HOT-DOG STAND
As recorded by Dick Todd and His Orchestra, 1939.

It wasn't on the island of Capri.
It wasn't on the beach at Waikiki,
Nor at a perfume counter in Paree
Where we met, and yet—

Something in the air was continental.
There were moonbeams caressing the sand.
I was feeling young and sentimental
At a little hot-dog stand.

Gallantly I handed her the mustard,
Then she curtsied and I kissed her hand.
Inwardly my heart was getting flustered
At a little hot-dog stand.
[§]
The bubbles in our soda pop just hit us like champagne.
I guess that we had five or six.
From somewhere in the distance came a Viennese refrain,
Or was my fancy playing tricks?

There and then a spark of love ignited.
It was real and the feeling was grand.
To our wedding breakfast you're invited
At a little hot-dog stand.

[Repeat from §.]