Classic Poem

Standing one day at the saxophone,
I was peppy and full of booze,
And my fingers wandered madly
Playing " The Blah Blah Blues. "

I knew just what I was playing,
And what I had swiped it from;
And I stole one strain of music
And I said to myself, " Ho! hum! "

I stole six bars from Wagner,
Seven from Rubinstein;
And I said, " I'll bet I can sell this
Melody that is mine. "

And a music publisher heard it
And said, in a way he has:
" I'll tell the world you've got a hit;
Oh kid, that is some jazz. "

And the thing sold in the millions,
And brought me wealth and fame;
And the blush of pride was on my cheek,
But never the blush of shame.

It may be that Richard Wagner,
And Anton von Rubinstein
Are turning in their graves now,
But the royalties are mine.

Standing one day at the saxophone,
I was peppy and full of booze,
And my fingers wandered madly
Playing " The Blah Blah Blues. "

I knew just what I was playing,
And what I had swiped it from;
And I stole one strain of music
And I said to myself, " Ho! hum! "

I stole six bars from Wagner,
Seven from Rubinstein;
And I said, " I'll bet I can sell this
Melody that is mine. "

And a music publisher heard it
And said, in a way he has:
" I'll tell the world you've got a hit;
Oh kid, that is some jazz. "

And the thing sold in the millions,
And brought me wealth and fame;
And the blush of pride was on my cheek,
But never the blush of shame.

It may be that Richard Wagner,
And Anton von Rubinstein
Are turning in their graves now,
But the royalties are mine.