ADD: Weekend of a Private Secretary (Mercer/Hanigh

25 Feb 01 - 07:37 AM (#405828)
Subject: I went to Havanah on one of those cruise
From: GUEST,2feathers

Woke up with this old song in my head and need the missing links: "I went to Havanah on one of those cruises for $49.50 to spend a few days. I went to Havanah to look at the natives to study their customs and picturesque ways..." I know more, but spotty lyrics especially toward the end. I know this was more than 50 yers ago, the $49.50 for a weekend in Cuba is a tip-off. I age, I age...

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25 Feb 01 - 07:55 AM (#405832)
Subject: Lyr Add: WEEKEND OF A PRIVATE SECRETARY
From: Jon Freeman

Found this using Google:

WEEKEND OF A PRIVATE SECRETARY
(Johnny Mercer, Bernie Hanighen, 1938)

I went to Havana
On one of those cruises
For forty-nine fifty,
To spend a few days.
I went to Havana,
To look at the natives,
To study their customs,
Their picturesque ways.

In searching for some local color,
I ran across a Cuban gent;
And he was such a big sensation,
I forgot the population.

He showed me the city,
He taught me the customs;
My trip to Havana
Was quite a success.

We had Bacardi;
I forgot the clock,
So we were tardy
In returning to the dock.

Though' I delayed it,
Even dropped my shawl,
The Cuban made it
As they gave the final call.
Darn it all!

I'm back in the office,
I'm punching the time clock;
But you can bet my mind
Is not on my work.
Instead of Bacardis,
I'm ordering Bromos,
Instead of the Cuban
I'm stuck with a clerk.

The other girls can go to Europe
And marry into royalty,
And they can get an Earl or Pasha
Or a gent with lots of cash-a…

But when I get married
And settle in Brooklyn,
He may be a slicker,
He may be a hick or a Ruben,
But you can bet that he'll be Cuban.
Si, si, si!

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25 Feb 01 - 08:19 AM (#405844)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I went to Havanah on one of those cr
From: GUEST,2 feathers

Muchos gracias Jon! Johnny Mercer? of course, one of the old great lyricists! 1938, eh? I was all of fourteen then. I will besinging this Thursday night at a group of singer wannabes in Florida, average age is 80 I think. I've got to try Google! Again, THANKS.

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04 Feb 11 - 03:43 PM (#3088777)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I went to Havanah on one of those cr
From: GUEST,claire

thanks so much for this. i remembered all but the refrain at the end. I've always loved this song.

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05 Feb 11 - 01:32 PM (#3089288)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I went to Havanah on one of those cr
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

Brings back memories. Thanks for digging it up. It would be nice to have all of the Mercer songs here.

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23 Jan 23 - 05:26 PM (#4163360)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Weekend of a Private Secretary (Mercer/Ha
From: GUEST,Dee

That song has been running a loop in my head for weeks. I was beginning to think I made it up because I knew the words and the melody but could not find any reference to it till now. Thanks for saving my sanity!

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