From the 1930 film “No, No, Nanette”
Words and music by Herb Magidson, Ned Washington and Michael H. Cleary
The sheet music:
Lyrics
1. Wooden shoes, wooden shoes, heavy lumbering feet
Well-shod, in carpentry, they plod a long in glee
All content, pleasure bent, for the new “Dutch treat”
A dance, with a windmill twist, a new creation
Refrain:
When you hear that “Pat-pat-pat”
You can bet your Sunday hat
Every girl and boy in Holland is enjoyin’
The dance of the wooden shoes
All the Van Dykes and Van Loons
Spend their nights and afternoons
Teaching little feet to kick a little beat
To the dance of the wooden shoes
Every little Hans and Gretchen
Is hurryin’ to the spot
And behind their backs, they’re fetchin’
The best pair of shoes they’ve got
Even old bewhiskered types
Throw away their Meerschaum pipes
Tho’ it means their ruin, you will find them doin’
The dance of the wooden shoes
2. Tulip time, tulip time, joy is in the air
Each pair is gaily bound to reach the stamping ground
Shingled feet, hear them beat in the Public Square
They know that there’s gonna be a celebration