From the original Wizard of Oz musical, 1903 , with whistling chorus.
Words by L. Frank Baum & Glen MacDonough.
Music by Paul Tietjens.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by Fred Feild:
Lyrics
- Not with the sighing flute, sought he to press his suit
Nor with the twinkling lute came he zum-zumming
Not on the light guitar, under the twilight star
Could he be heard afar, tenderly strumming
Chorus
But, from his piercing piccolo, my highly gifted Niccolo
Could charm with much celerity this melody divine
Defying fell malaria, he’d execute this aria
With marvelous dexterity, each night at half past nine
(Whistling chorus)
- Not with the violin, sought he my heart to win
Nor with the mandolin came he a-wooing
Not on the slide trombone, played he a mellow tone
Singing of love alone, sighing and sueing
Sung here by Vancha March: