From the 1940 musical “Panama Hattie”
Words and music by Cole Porter
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
I felt so glum, so deadly dumb
That I’d become completely blah
Until I read a sigh that said
“Before you’re dead visit Panama”
Arriving there, I took the air
Though it was fairly late
Then in the mob, I spied a gob
And obviously a date
It wasn’t hard to play my card
As it was Mardi Gras
We met etcetera, I visited Panama
Refrain:
If away you long to steal
To a real Shangrila
If your heart you wish to heal
Visit Pa-na-na-na-na-ma
If ‘neath the stars you long to dance
And to a fancy orchestra
If you’re in need of new romance
Grab your chance and scan Panama
Visit Panama, visit Panama