Classic Poem

(with Jimmy McHugh, based on an earlier lyric by Oscar Hammerstein II and Otto Harbach)

VERSE

Think of what you're losing
By constantly refusing
To dance with me.
You'd be the idol of France with me!
And yet you stand there and shake your foolish head dramatic'lly.
While I wait here so ecstatic'lly
You just look and say emphatic'lly,
Not this season!
There's a reason!

REFRAIN HE :

I won't dance!
Don't ask me.
I won't dance!
Don't ask me.
I won't dance,
Madame, with you.
My heart won't let my feet do things they should do!
You know what?
You're lovely. SHE :
And so what? I'm lovely! HE :
But oh! what
You do to me!
I'm like an ocean wave that's bumped on the shore;
I feel so absolutely stumped on the floor! SHE :
When you dance you're charming and you're gentle!
'Spec'lly when you do the " Continental. " HE :
But this feeling isn't purely mental;
For heaven rest us,
I'm not asbestos.
And that's why
I won't dance!
Why should I?
I won't dance!
How could I?
I won't dance!
Merci beaucoup!
I know that music leads the way to romance.
So if I hold you in my arms,
I won't dance!