From the Musical “ANYTHING GOES,” 1934.
Words and Music by Cole Porter.
Sung by Ethel Merman and Company.
Cover Art by Benjamin Harris.
Copyright ©23 Nov 1934.
The sheet music:
Lyrics:
[TRUMPET CALL]
RENO: Do you hear that playin’?
CHORUS: Yes, I hear that playin’.
RENO: Do you know who’s playin’?
CHORUS: No, who is that playin’?
RENO & CHORUS: Why, its Gabriel, Gabriel playin’,
Gabriel, Gabriel sayin’,
“Will you be ready to go when I blow my horn?”
REFRAIN
Oh, blow, Gabriel, blow
Go on and blow, Gabriel, blow!
I’ve been a singer, I’ve been a scamp,
But now I’m ready to trip my lamp,
So blow, Gabriel, blow!
I was low, Gabriel, low,
Mighty low, Gabriel, low.
But now since I have seen the light,
I’m good by day and I’m good by night,
So blow, Gabriel, blow.
Once I was headed for hell,
Yes, once I was headed for hell;
But when I got to Satan’s door
I heard you blowin’ on your horn once more,
So I said, “Satan, farewell!”
And now I’m all ready to fly,
Yes, to fly higher and higher!
‘Cause I’ve gone through brimstone and I’ve been through the fire,
And I’ve purged my soul and my heart too.
So climb up the mountaintop and start to
Blow, Gabriel, blow.
Go on and blow, Gabriel, blow!
I want to join your happy band
And play all day in the Promised Land,
So blow, Gabriel, blow!