From the comic opera “The Girl and the Bandit”, 1904.
Words by Edward Madden.
Music by Theodore Morse.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. In a big fig tree sat a chimpanzee
On a balmy night in June
And she chanced to spy as he wandered by
Such a handsome young baboon
Said the monkey maid “If you’re not afraid
Make a date up here with me
But the baboon said, as he wagged his head
“Well upon my word, I never heard
Of a date in a big fig tree”
Then he sang to the chimpanzee
Chorus:
“I’m waiting here beneath the shining moon
Oh, won’t you spoon with your baboon
Now hurry up or I’ll be leaving soon
Oh, won’t you come down from the big fig tree”
2. Said the monkey Miss “If you want a kiss
There is one up here for you”
And she heaved a sigh on her perch so high
For the maid was feeling blue
“Though I love to spoon” said the big baboon
“It’s an awful height to climb
Now it’s getting late, I’ve another date
And a maid like you might prove untrue
So I’ll call at another time”
But she came when she heard this rhyme