Smellin’ of Vanilla

(Bamboo Cage) from “House of Flowers”, 1954.
Words by Truman Capote and Harold Arlen.
Music by Harold Arlen.

The sheet music:

Smellin-of-Vanilla – SHEET MUSICDownload

Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:

Smellin_Of_Vanilla – MIDIDownload

Lyrics

  1. Smellin’ of vanilla, smellin’ of rose
    Decked ‘n’ dolled in our finest clothes
    We’re gonna see the Cock’rel in his fighting rage
    Make little o’ de bird in de Bamboo Cage
  2. Smellin’ of vanilla, reekin’ of rose
    Decked ‘n’ dolled in our silken hose
    We’re gonna see the Cock’rel in their rampage
    Make de feathers fly out ‘o de Bamboo Cage

Oh, de Cock’rel strut by
Wid a mean gleam in his eye
His head held so high
De bird, he very brave, not afraid to die
Oh, de Cock’rel struts unique
As he slyly sharpens his beak
Proudly promenades his physique
De bird, he very brave, courage at its peak