The Old Calliope
From the film "Sailor Beware" - 1952
Composer(s): Jerry Livingston - Mack David
Performer(s): Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis



My grandpa was a minstrel man, a minstrel man was he
And to tell the truth, I guess I've got some minstrel blood in me
You can have all the harps in heaven, blow all the horns here on the ground
But I find I still get my greatest thrill every time I hear this sound

I love to hear an old calliope
I love the melody of an old calliope
And when you hear that thrilling harmony
Gather roun', the minstrel show's in town 
(JL) wow, wow, wow, wow!

It sounds so grand, that old calliope
What is more heavenly than an old calliope?
Here comes the band, oh what a sight to see
Gather roun', the minstrel show's in town 
(JL) wow, wow, wow, wow!

Banjo's strummin' 
(Both) za zoo za zoo za zoo zaz
Folks are hummin'
(Both) za zoo za zoo za zoo zaz
Minstrels comin' 
(Both) za zoo za zoo za zoo zaz
What a show, what a show 
(Both) It's the finest show I know

It's comin' near 
(JL) Coming near coming near
That old calliope 
(JL) What a sight to see
Oh, what a melody 
(JL) What a melody
On the old calliope 
(JL) Old calliope
(Both) So loud and clear, that thrilling harmony
(Both) Gather roun', the minstrel show's in town

There's the Interlocutor
And Mr. Bones so full of life
"Who's that lady you were with last night?"
(JL) "That was no lady that was my wife"
(DM) Ha, ha! 
(JL) Ha, ha! 
(DM) Ho, ho! 
(JL) Ho, ho!
(Both) What a show, what a show, what a show

Says the Interlocutor
To Mr. Bones so full of pride:
"Why does the chicken cross the road?"
(JL) "Why to get to that other side"

I love to hear an old calliope
I love the melody of an old calliope
(JL) And when you hear that thrilling harmony
(Both) Gather roun', the minstrel show's in town