Soft Shoe Boy

Oh, if I could do some of that old soft shoe
Like George Burns did back in 1932
Croonin' my tunes and takin' my chances
Now wouldn't I be your soft shoe boy

I'd tip my top hat/strut my tails across the stage
Tap out a dance and swivel on my cane
Click my heels with a young man's joy
Now wouldn't I be your soft shoe boy

Any maybe I'd juggle some bowling pins
I'd probably have to have just a few shots of gin
My gosh, someone put pineapple juice in my pineapple juice
What's a boy got to do if he wanna to stay loose?

I'd do a little magic/shuffle in my shoes
Try and take your mind off of them soup line blues
And every night when the lights'd go up
I'd stop by the office and pick up my two bucks

On closer inspection, yes, I guess you could say
This old tuxedo's probably seen its best days
But my white gloves are new and my cigar's just been lit
And if you'll clap for me I'm sure I'll be a hit

I'll tell you jokes until the curtain comes down
The manager'd say, "Have your agent call me next time you pass through town"
and I'm not sure how to take that as I stumble out the back door
But, hey, the streets are all clappin' for the soft shoe boy.


© Richard Helm