From the Musical “ANYTHING GOES,” 1934.
Words and Music by Cole Porter.
Copyright ©Nov 1934. [unpublished].
Benjamin Harris cover used here is fake.
The sheet music:
Lyrics:
VERSE
There’s an old Australian bush song
That Melba used to sing,
A song that always cheered me when I was blue.
Even Melba said this bush song
Was a helluva song to sing,
So be quiet whilst I render it for you.
REFRAIN
When your instinct tells you that disaster
Is approaching you faster and faster,
Then be like the bluebird and sing
“Tweet tweet tra lalla-la-lalla.”
When you know you’re headed for the jailer
Don’t allow the old face to look paler
But be like the bluebird and sing
“Tweet tweet tra lalla-la-lalla.”
Be like the bluebird who never is blue,
For he knows from his upbringing
What singing can do,
And though by other birdies in the boughs he
May be told that his efforts are percectly lousy,
He sings on and on till his troubles are through
“Tweet tweet tra lalla-la-lalla.”