The Man From Harlem – Cab Calloway And His Orchestra

It was up at Mike’s the other night
There was really quite a sight
Gather round, folks, while I give you all the lowdown

Tables were filled with gaudy frails
Chewing on their fingernails
They were waiting for the man from Harlem

Drinks were served six bits a throw
Things were moving kind of slow
Everybody’s nerves were getting jumpy

All at once the room was still
Men forgot all about their bill
Who should enter but the man from Harlem

Everybody rolled their eyes
Women starting heaving sighs
Someone hollered, “Music, lights and gin”

Everybody cleared a space
They had big, broad smiles on every face
How they all loved to see the man from Harlem

When he started in to step
He filled everyone with plenty pep
He twitched and squirmed; it just was a dirty shame

Everyone was in a daze
Women watched him with amaze
Each one said she’d have the man from Harlem

He looked over in the corner
And saw a couple of frails and they sure did look kinda low
Another cat walked up, and said to the man from Harlem
“Go over there and see what’s the matter with them girls”
And they said, “I’m kinda low”
And he said, “I’ve got just what you need:
Come on, sisters, light up on these weeds and get high and forget about everything”