From “LOUISIANA PURCHASE”, 1940.
Words and Music by Irving Berlin.
B&W Professional Copy.
Copyright ©1 Apr 1940.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
Mister Liebowitz’s office
He’s busy, who shall I say?
Yes-sir, I’ll be glad to
I’ll tell him, O. K.
Take a letter to Mister B. G. De Sylva
My dear Mister De Sylva
I’ve read the book of your show
Called “Louisiana Purchase”
And as your legal adviser
I’m writing to let you know
That you’re skating on very thin ice
But since you’ve asked my advice
I warn you it an’t be done
I know it’s all in fun
But there is a state called Louisiana
And anyone can tell
That both your acts are based on facts
And they’re gonna be sore as hell
And you won’t get away with it, they’ll sue
You and Ryskind and Berlin, too
Because there are laws
Laws that specifically say
You can’t write a book or a play
Based on characters living today
And that’s what you’ve done
I know it’s in fun
But for instance, the very first scene
The character you call the “Dean”
You’ve changed the name
But just the same
They’re going to know who you mean
And you won’t get away with it
Oh no, the minute you open, they’ll close the show
And they’ll sue! they’ll sue!
You and Ryskind and Berlin, too
And the cast will go to jail
Of that I have no doubt
But speaking as your attorney
Let me say that there is a way out
You can make the whole thing legal
Without changing a line of your book
It can still be Louisiana
You can call a crook a crook
But you must say “It’s based on fiction”
And everything will be fine
Your truly Sam Liebowitz
Of Rafferty, Driscoll and O’Brien