Elmer's Tune

Glenn Miller 's number one hit "Elmer's Tune" in 1941 was written by a mortician. Young Elmer Albrecht worked next door to Chicago's Aragon Ballroom and received permission to use one of their pianos on his lunch hours. Bandleader Dick Jurgens liked one of the melodies he heard Albrecht play and arranged it for his orchestra. Lyricist Sammy Gallop added words. The rest is history.

Here are the lyrics:

Why are the stars always winkin,' And blinkin' above?
What makes a fella' start thinkin', Of fallin' in love?
It's not the season, The reason, It's plain as the moon,
It's just Elmer's tune.

What makes a lady of eighty, Go out on the loose?
Why does a gander meander,In search of a goose?
What puts the kick, In a chicken, The magic in June?
It's just Elmer's tune.

Listen! Listen! There's a lot you're liable to be missin'.
Sing it! Swing it Any ol' way And any ol' time.
The hurdy-gurdies, The birdies, The cop on the beat,
The candy maker, The baker, The man on the street,
The city charmer, The farmer, The Man in the Moon,
All sing Elmer's tune.

The hurdy-gurdies, The birdies, The cop on the beat,
The Banker And the Man on the street
The city charmer, The farmer, The Man in the Moon,
All sing Elmer's tune.
They all sing Elmer's tune,
They all sing Elmer's tune

My favorite version is by Peggy Lee