Lyr Req: Danny Kaye Songs

Subject: Danny Kaye
From: Ulli
Date: 27 Dec 99 - 05:36 PM

I'd like to have the lyrics of Danny Kaye's "Tongue Twister? Can anyone help me?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 27 Dec 99 - 05:52 PM

Which one?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: Ulli
Date: 27 Dec 99 - 06:15 PM

Which one? Uh, I didn't know there was more than one song with that title. The one I'm thinking of is one which contains some (more or less well known) tongue twisters. Is that of any help?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: MarkS
Date: 27 Dec 99 - 06:33 PM

Here is one I remember:

The vessil with the pestle has the pellet with the poison The chalice from the palace has the brew that is true.

Was this one you had in mind?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: Margo
Date: 27 Dec 99 - 06:45 PM

Sounds like "Tongue Twister" is the name of the song! I remember finding a Danny Kaye site from which I ordered some CD's. I'll check and get back. Margo

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 27 Dec 99 - 07:05 PM

Sorry I dont know but I love ""Everything is tickty boo on such a lovly day"... Yay "Merry Andrew"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: catspaw49
Date: 27 Dec 99 - 07:11 PM

His wife, the incredibly gifted Sylvia Fine, wrote most of his "verbage" pieces including the one you're referring to here. She knew what wonderful things he was capable of doing, making it an excellent collaboration. I can't locate the lyrics but if you look hard enough, there is a lot of info on both of them on the web.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: Joe Offer
Date: 27 Dec 99 - 09:38 PM

Click here for the poison pellet dialog from The Court Jester (1956). I sure enjoy watching his movies.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: Bob Baldwin
Date: 27 Dec 99 - 10:01 PM

This isn't it, I'm sure, but years ago I memorized a song sung by Danny who was playing an usher in a movie theater. He sang the screen credits that HE had memorized:

"Art direction -- Finkelpuff Interiors -- Minerva Buff Photography -- Alonzo Tech Recorded Sound -- Osneedle Beck Upholstery by Zachary Knick-nackery by Tackery Terpsichore by Dickery And Dickery by Doc."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: Margo
Date: 28 Dec 99 - 01:36 AM

Went to that site, and someone else was also looking for those lyrics; asked if he'd found them. Catspaw is right, there is a lot of info about Danny Kaye and Sylvia Fine on the web.... Margo

Subject: Lyr Add: TONGUE TWISTER (from Danny Kaye)
From: Susan A-R
Date: 28 Dec 99 - 09:45 PM

Everybody's heard of Peter Piper
And the Peck of Pickled peppers that he picked
That's such a silly simple children's game
That it hasn't even got a name
But I'd like to bet that it'll trip ya
Like to betcha that you'll have to say you're licked
If Peter Piper you pronounce with ease
Then twist your tongue around these.

Moses supposes his toeses are roses
But Moses supposes erroneously
For Moses's toeses are toeses, not roses
As Moses supposes his toeses to be

Kistle will whistle at bustly Miss Russell
Who'll rustle and bustle 'til Kistle will roar
Now Russell's asked Axle for Kistle's dismissal
And this'll teach Kissle to whistle no more

That's a tongue twister
It seems so easy 'til the word gets sprung
If you insist you want to try a list (not sure of this line)
Step up Mister and Twist your tongue

Hetta is hoping to hop to Tahiti
To hag a hibiscus to hang on her hat
Now Hetta has hundreds of hats on her hat-rack,
So how can a hop to Tahiti help that? Ho Ho Ho Ho

Theata thought Thora was thumping her thimble
But Thomas thought Thora was thumping her thumb
???
Said Theta, she surely is thumping her drum

Tito and Tato were tattooed in toto
But Toto was only tattooed on his toe
Tato told Tito where Toto was tattooed
But Tito said Toto's tattoo wouldn't show

Sheila is selling her shop at the seashore
For shops at the seashore are so sure to lose
Now Sheila's not sure of what she should be selling
Should she sell seashells, or should she sell shoes

Twistopher Twistle was twing to whistle but Twistopher twisted his tongue

I think I've got them all, but will go back and listen. I actually got through this one a few years ago. Boy did I feel clever.

Susan A-R

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 19-Nov-02.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Dec 99 - 10:40 PM

Thanks SUSAR!!!! Great job!!!

He WAS really great wasn't he? Karen and I watch his movies when they're on and both of us are completely in love with the man. His TV series was always watched at our house...my mom was a huge fan too. His benevolent works were so numerous and his obvious love of kids made him one of those special stars who "gave back" and that's always high on my list of good traits.

I think one his greatest bits was the VERY verbal, but without words, song he did about the guy getting his draft notice and going into the army. A GREAT and probably a one off....only one Danny Kaye.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: Susan A-R
Date: 28 Dec 99 - 11:11 PM

I missed him first time round. The television reception up here in the north has always been rugged at best, and much of his stuff seems to have played on NBC, which just didn't make it in. I did just recently see The Secret Life of Walter Midy, WOW! The flexibility of his voice/face/body was amazing. What a guy.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: dpt
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 12:17 AM

seeking origin of lyrics he sang in Up in Arms (when it's cherry blossom time in orange, new jersey, we'll make a peach of a pear, even though we cantaloupe...) attributed in the credits to sylvia fine as the "Theater Lobby Number" but i think there is an earlier, possible vaudeville or burlesque connection. anyone know?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: catspaw49
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 12:29 AM

Could be an earlier version I suppose...but I really think its one of hers. Sylvia Fine was a premier wordsmith with the perfect mouthpiece for her contrivances.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: Ulli
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 12:16 PM

Thanks a lot for all the information I got, especially to Susan A.R. This is exactly the song I was looking for.

This is also the first time that I tried 'The Mudcat Cafe'and I must say I am really impressed by what is happening here. Thanks a lot again to everybody

ulli

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: jeffp
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 12:55 PM

I see that for a newcomer, Ulli has wasted no time mastering the arcane art of the double post *BG*! I'm glad to see that I'm not the only Danny Kaye fan around. The Court Jester and Inspector General are two of my favorite movies. I bought a copy of The Court Jester and forced my family to watch it with me one night. The kids had never seen it before and were absolutely entranced. He was surely one of a kind. Thanks to all for dredging up some very happy memories.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: Helen
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 05:19 PM

Hi all,

I have always loved Danny Kaye, for all of the reasons that Catspaw said. He was everything I admire: caring, willing to take risks for what he believed in, funny, talented, artistic & clever.

Well, I just realised why I like the Mudcat and Mudcatters, too.

Helen

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: Susan A-R
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 09:23 PM

Just discovered (through careful digging in my mess of a study) that there are two tongue twisters which I left out!! Here you go.

Now Charlie is charry when choosing his cheeses And cheeses are challanged when Charlie arrives. When Charlie is charming and chooses a cheddar Then chills it and chips it and chopps in some chives

(I may have this wrong, but that's what it sounds like) And

Snobby Miss Norah is sniffing her snuff But the snuff has no sniff and it makes Norah sneeze When snide Alice Nortan ears Norah a sneezing She snappily snorts Norah's sneezing a breeze.

Now I have to go out and visit someone with a vcr and bring the Court Jester. I have never seen it.

Susan A-R

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: catspaw49
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 09:35 PM

You gonna' love it Susar.....and get "On the Double" too!!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: Margo
Date: 30 Dec 99 - 01:45 AM

Yay!! I love Danny Kaye too!! We love his movies. I heard a recording of him on the radio saying the pledge of allegiance to our flag, and it was wonderful. He was serious. Margo

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: MAG (still off-line)
Date: 30 Dec 99 - 11:29 PM

His daughter put together some clips from the TV show which I got out of some catalog. It has "Ballin' the Jack" and some other gems. One of which is Harry Belafonte, who makes Danny look short.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: voyager
Date: 12 Jan 00 - 09:51 AM

Thanks to MudCatters for spinning this Danny Kaye thread. One thing leads to another on the Web....

I was able to locate on eBay an auction item I've searched for for years....Danny Kaye's 1962 classic D-O-D-G-E-R-S. When the 45 shows up in the mail I'll post the lyrics as another testimony to Mr. Kaye's wonderful talent.

Of the many recordings, films, TV shows I've seen, \I would recommend DANNY KAYE at the LONDON PALLADIUM (circa 1949). Any Mudcat leads on this one?

Cheers voyager (aka Tim Weil) in the FSGW Ghetto Silver Spring, Maryland

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From:
Date: 12 Jan 00 - 06:03 PM

I think the title was "Merry Andrew". That is my all time favourite Danny Kaye movie. It had Danny Kaye as a university professor or student, who in the course of some work got involved with a circus and eventually dropped the love he had, and went for the one in the circus.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: Susan A-R
Date: 12 Jan 00 - 10:21 PM

Just saw A Song is Born this weekend. I wish there had been more of a showing of what Danny does best, but the movie was fun, and there was lots of great jazz in it. We came home and put on our tape of tongue twisters and the Mad Hatter and When I Was a Lad, just because we got insppired. What a guy.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: catspaw49
Date: 12 Jan 00 - 10:26 PM

Isn't it kind of neat we have this little Danny Kaye fan Club here? He may not be folk, but he represents what so many of us love.....a kind, talented, gentle, and humane human being. Glad to have this thread to stick back up now and again. Thanks.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 13 Jan 00 - 12:27 PM

Hey George, In Mary Andrew DK played a teacher at a boys pre prep and had to go look for a statue of Pan so that he could get a "head of house" position and so get to marry the girl,,Only problem was he fell for the trapeez artis{In real life James Daen's main sqeeze}...Bona Fortuna.... Guy<><><><><>

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: Áine
Date: 14 Jan 00 - 10:34 AM

What was the name of the film where Danny played twin brothers, where the flamboyant brother gets killed and comes back to possess his twin so as to catch his murderer? That is one of my favorite Danny Kaye films -- I'm always amazed how he could portray the two separate personalities vying for the same body!! Just amazing!!

-- Áine

Subject: Mommy Gimme a Drinka Water
From: GUEST,Lynne
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 08:17 AM

If anyone has a copy of the Mommy Gimme a Drinka Water album for sale, please email me at [e-mail].

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 12:16 PM

Knock on Wood?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 12:37 PM

Aine: Danny (David Daniel Kaminsky) comes back as his twin brother in "Wonderman" (1945)
The write up in 'Halliwell's film guide' is:
"A mild-mannered student is persuaded by the ghost of his dead twin to avenge his murder"

Susan A-R: I remember the 'Roses' one as:
"Moses supposes his toeses are roses,
But Moses supposes erroneously.
For Moses he knows that his toes aren't the roses
That Moses supposes his toeses to be"

Nigel

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: GUEST,Bill Kennedy
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 12:43 PM

found a vhs copy of 'Merry Andrew' recently and got one of my daughters to watch it. It still is great. And sent a PAL copy to the son of a friend in Amsterdam who also enjoyed it, especially the 'Salute' number, in fractured Italian.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: GUEST,Don
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 02:19 PM

On the general theme of "Gee, wasn't Danny Kaye great?": I doubt that anyone would rate this as one of his most important performances, but I just love his contribution to the Rankin-Bass animated special "Here Comes Peter Cottontail." He, in animation and in voice, portrayed the character Seymour S. Sassafras, and he also provided the voices for Colonel Bunny and Antoine the caterpillar. It's my favorite Rankin-Bass special, largely on the strength of
Mr. Kaye's performance.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From:
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 09:08 PM

I remember the part about "Moses and his toeses" from Singing In the Rain. It was part of a comic routine he did in the movie where learning proper diction was part of it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: GUEST,The O'Meara
Date: 20 Nov 02 - 01:42 PM

Hans Christian Andersen. Wonderful acting, wonderful music.

Subject: Lyr Add: LIFE COULD NOT BETTER BE (from Danny Kaye
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 20 Nov 02 - 05:31 PM

Life could not better be, better be, better be
It could not possibly, no, serrah serrah sirree
Songs could not gayer be, sound your Do, Re or Mi
Do Re Mi sol la ti, fa la la la, fa-alo-ow me.

Why be gloomy, cut thy nose off to spite thy face...
Listen to me,...a nose is hard,... to replace

Skies could not bluer be, hearts in love, truer be
I say for you or me,... life couldn't possibly, not even probably
Life couldn't possibly better be.

Life could not better be, on a midy-evil spree
Knights full of chivilry, villians full of villiany
You'll see as you suspect, maidens fair, just beget
Suthe, tried and true aspect, for the umpteenth time we resurect

We did research, authenticity was a must
Whew!... did we search, and what did we find? huh-chew! A lotta dust!

After the dust had cleared, half the cast, had a beard
And I'm the one as you can see, for whom the bell tolls mer-ril-ly

We asked Shakespeare, and Francis Bacon would they declare
Which one wrote this, and they both said... get outda dair!

Which brings us, to the plot, and plot we've got, quite alot
And as it unfolds you'll seeeeeeee
What starts as a scary tale, ...ends like a fairy tale...
And life couldn't possibly beh-ter beeeeeeee!

I love this song, and I'm looking forward to performing it! ttr

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: GUEST,childofelohiym
Date: 15 Apr 07 - 12:34 AM

Does anyone know where I can get sheetmusic for "Life Could Not Better Be?" I love that song!

Subject: Lyr Add: A PAPER FULL OF FISH AND CHIPS (D Kaye)
From: Duke
Date: 15 Apr 07 - 10:01 AM

A while back I asked if anyone knew of a Danny Kaye song called the Fish and Chip song. Someone out "there" ran into one of my inquiries and sent me the lyrics. It is a song I remember my grandmother playing for me on her old Victrola.

Here it is!


I got to go and buy a paper full of fish and chips,
I got to go for don't you know I'm barely smacking me lips.
Ow Ow Ow Ow it wet's me appetite,
For I could go on eatin' fish and chips all night.
The wife and kids are waitin' for we're goin' to 'ave a spree,
They've got the salt and vinegar, the kettle's on for tea.
Love a duck I musn't stop for I gotta go 'round the shop,
And buy a paper full of fish and chips.

CHORUS:

'Ave a banana, 'ave a banana,    (pronounced "buh naaaaaah na" British style)
You peel the skin off with your fingertips.
'Ave a banana, 'ave a banana,
I'm gettin' a paper full of fish and chips.

Freddie was a fireman, brave without a doubt.
He was the bravest fireman when puttin' fires out.
While workin' on a fire, and the flames was blazin' hot,
He scratched 'is 'ead and the he said,
"BLYME I Forgot !"

(back to the top, repeat first verse once more)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: Stringsinger
Date: 15 Apr 07 - 11:18 AM

Danny Kaminsky born in Brooklyn, came to prominence in Moss Hart's "Lady In the Dark"
with Gertrude Lawrence, one of the first music "books" that were original. Danny's big song was "Tschaikovsky" which brought him fame.

Sylvia Fine was a comic lyric "genius" like Tom Lehrer. (I always wondered if "Lobachevsky" (sp?) was patterned after "Tschaikovsky".)

"I'll never forget the morning that grandpa ate the awning
To impress a pretty lady, who went for men that were shady."

Sylvia Fine, I don't think, got the recognition that she deserved.

I met him one time briefly at the Gate of Horn in Chicago when he came in to the dressing room to see Shoshana Damari (a legend in Israel). I noticed that he wore two different colored socks.

Another Kaminsky, Sid Caesar, nee: Kaminsky.

"Tubby The Tuba" a classic children's recording.

His "git-gat-gittle" was a new kind of scat singing. He was adored in England.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye
From: Linda Goodman Zebooker
Date: 15 Apr 07 - 12:21 PM

In 1959 or so my best friend Melanie and I started a two-person "Danny Kaye Club". We listened to all my parents' '78s of Danny Kaye. My favorite was "Anatole of Paris". I think there was also a "Minnie the Moocher". We read the short biography of him we had over and over. We went to the theater and watched "On the Double" so often we had it completely memorized. We saw on tv and loved "The Inspector General" and made cartoons of the stories, adding some new developments of our own. The first movie I ever saw, at age four, was Hans Christian Anderson. What a wonderful talent and person.

Linda

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye Songs
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 15 Apr 07 - 08:16 PM

I believe that Tom Lehrer has acknowledged the influence of "Tchiakovsky" on "Lobachevski."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye Songs
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 15 Apr 07 - 08:39 PM

Can anyone tell me when and where he sang "Inchworm"?

Dani

Subject: Lyr Add: TONGUE TWISTERS (from Danny Kaye)
From: GUEST,The Roaring Gril
Date: 15 Apr 07 - 09:43 PM

your request:

Everybody's heard of Peter Piper
And the peck of pickled peppers that he picked
That's such a silly simple children's game
It hasn't even got a name
But I'd like to bet that it'll trip you
And I bet you're gonna have to say you're licked
If Peter Piper you pronounce with ease
Then twist your tongue around these
Moses supposes his toeses are roses
But Moses supposes erroneously
For Moses he knowses his toeses aren't roses
As Moses supposes his toeses to be
That's tongue twisters
And it seems so easy till the word gets sprung
If you insist you want to try a lisp
Then step up mister and twist your tongue
Now Kissle will whistle at busty Miss. Russell
Who'll rustle and bustle till Kissle will roar
So Russell asked Axle for Kissle's dismissal
And this'll teach Kissle to whistle no more
That's tongue twisters
And it seems so easy till you twist your tongue
Tito and Tato were tattooed in total
But Toto was only tattooed on his toe
So Tato told Tito where Toto was tattooed
But Tito said Toto's tattoo wouldn't show
Theda thought Thora was thumping her thimble
But Thomas thought Thora was thumping her drum
Said Theda if Thora's not thumping her thimble
I think that she surely is thumping her thumb
That's tongue twisters
And it seems so easy till the word gets sprung
If you insist you want to try a lisp
Then step up mister and twist your tongue
Now Charley is chary when choosing his cheeses
And cheese is a challenge when Charley arrives
When Charley is charming and chooses a cheddar
Then chews it and chips it and chops in some chives
Heda is hoping to hop to Tahiti
To hack a hibiscus to hang on her hat
Now Heda has hundreds of hats on her hatrack
So how can a hop to Tahiti help that
Snobby Miss. Nora is sniffing her snuffer
The snuffer's no sniffing it makes Nora sneeze
When Snyda lets Nort know his Nora is sneezing
She snappily snorts Nora's sneezing a breeze
Sheila is selling her shop at the seashore
For shops at the seashore are so sure to lose
And she's not so sure of what she should be selling
Should Sheila sell seashells or should she sell shoes
That's tongue twisters
And it seems so easy till the word gets sprung
If you insist you want to try a lisp
Then step up mister and twist your tongue
Twista felt Twister was trying to whistle
But Twister had twisted his tongue

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye Songs
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 15 Apr 07 - 11:45 PM

"Inch Worn, Inch Worm, measuring the Marigolds"

Inch worm is from "Hans Christian Anderson". Not my favorite Danny Kaye film. The Inspector General and The Court Jester get that honor.

Don

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye Songs
From: GUEST,Paul Arnold.
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 05:33 AM

Mark King from level 42 has recorded a version of Danny Kayes Inchworm for a children's charity CD.

The CD is called The School Building and is released week/c 16th July 2007. It is currently available to order from Amazon UK www.amazon.co.uk or direct from the record label which can be accessed from the school website www.lympshamfirstschool.org.uk

The song can be listened to at www.myspace.com/preschoollympsham.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye Songs
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 12:02 PM

Mel Brooks, born Melvin Kaminsky, not Sid Caesar, was the other Kaminsky. Caesar was said to be Sid's authentic surname. What a group "Your Show of Shows" gave to the world. Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner, Nanette Fabray and Howard Morris. Writers included Mel Brooks and Larry Gelbart (father of TV's "M.A.S.H.") among many others. With Danny Kaye's rubber face and body, he would probably have been a great fit in that show.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye Songs
From: goatfell
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 03:06 PM

I liked Hans Christian Anderson

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye Songs
From: MMario
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 03:11 PM

There once was an ugly duckling, it's feathers all scruffy and brown! And the other birds, in so many words, said: Quack, get out! Quack Quack, get out! Quack Quack, get out of town!

So he left with a quack and a waddle and quack and a very unhappy frown.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye Songs
From: Charmion
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 08:36 AM

My favourite Danny Kaye song was an Americanized version of the Nightmare Song from "Iolanthe" -- the one that begins:

I was lying awake with a dismal headache ... [stuff missing]
I presume you may use any language you choose to indulge in without impropriety.

It was a cherry-red 45 with "Inchworm" on the B side -- or maybe "Inchworm" was the A side but I was too Gilbert&Sullivan-fixated to notice. I was 11 -- what can I say?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Danny Kaye Songs
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 08:39 AM

And they had 45s that long ago?

Giok ¦¬]