I'RATHER CHARLESTON
From the London show "Lady Be Good" 1926)
(George Gershwin / Desmond Carter)

Fred & Adele Astaire (Piano: George Gershwin)
(London Stage Production) - 1926

Also recorded by: Jack Gibbons; George Gershwin;
Victor Sylvester; Dave Van Rank; Nicolas Hodges;
San Francisco Starlight Orchestra.

FRED:
I've seen for days that you've got
The ways that must be checked
In you I never can detect
The slightest signs of intellect
Your mad on dances, think of the chances you neglect
You never seem inclined to use your mind
And it's quite plain to see
That I'm the brains of the family

FRED:
Take a lesson from me
ADELE:
I'd rather Charleston
FRED:
Charleston?
Think of what you might be
ADELE:
I'd rather Charleston
FRED:
Charleston?
I'm disappointed in you and your ways
ADELE:
I'm double-jointed
There's no sensation like syncopation
FRED:
Will you let me know why
ADELE:
I'd rather Charleston
FRED:
Charleston?
That's the sort of thing I would never do
So, leave it behind and give your mind to something new
ADELE:
I'd rather Charleston (FRED: Oh no), Charleston, Charleston with you

FRED:
Your way of living soon will be giving me a pain
You just repeat that same refrain
You use your feet and not your brain
Something has got you
I don't know what you hope to gain
And after all I've done
It's not much fun to have to have a Sister who's
Got her brain in her dancing shoes

FRED:
So, take a lesson from me
ADELE:
I'd rather Charleston
FRED:
Charleston?
When you're older you'll see
ADELE:
I'd rather Charleston
FRED:
Charleston?
The great improvements I looked for in you
ADELE:
I like improvements
They make new plastic just like elastic
FRED:
Say, don't you ever keep cool
ADELE:
I'd rather Charleston
FRED:
Oh no, that's the sort of thing silly people do
Hey, haven't you read what Lincoln said in sixty-two
ADELE:
Ye-a-a-a-h-h-h!
FRED:
Well, what'd he say?
ADELE:
I'd rather Charleston (FRED: Oh no), Charleston, Charleston with you
FRED: Not me

(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - December 2005)