Born In A Trunk

Spoken Intro

Thank you thank you very much

I can't express it any other way

For with this awful trembling in my heart

I just can't find another thing to say

I'm happy that you liked the show

I'm grateful you liked me

And I'm sure to you the tributes seemed quite right

Song

But if you knew of all the years

Of hopes and dreams and tears

You'd know it didn't happen overnight

Huh overnight

I was born in a trunk

In the Princess Theater in Pocatello Idaho

It was during a matinee on Friday

And they used a makeup towel for my didee

When I first saw the light

It was pink and amber

Coming from the footlights on the stage

When my dad carried me out there to say hello

They tell me that I stopped the show

So I grew up in a crazy world of dressing rooms

And hotel rooms and waiting rooms

And rows behind-the-scenes

And I can't forget the endless rows

Of sleepless nights and heatless nights

And nights without a nickel in my jeans

But it's all in the game and way you play it

And you've gotta play the game you know

When you're born in a trunk at the Princess Theater

In Pocatello Idaho

At first I just stood and watched from the wings

That's all my mom and dad would allow

But as I got older I got a little bolder

And snuck out for their second bow

They kept me in the act because they needed me

To milk applause

Until one night they did a crazy thing

They left me out there all alone

Mama said you're on your own

And Papa shouted this is it kid Sing'

I'll get by

As long as I have you

Though there be rain and darkness too

I'll not complain I'll see it through

I learned very quickly the tricks of the trade

I practiced after everyone was gone

And with the tricks I learned traditions

And the hardest one of all is no matter what

The show must go on

As time went by I looked for jobs

And was kicked from pillar to post

I haunted all the agents' offices

And I almost ended up a ghost

I'm a sentimental sap that's all

What's the use of tryin' not to fall

I have no will you made your kill

'Cause you took advantage of me

AGENT

No

ESTHER

I'm just like an apple on the bough

And you're gonna shake me down somehow

So what's the use you cooked my goose

'Cause you took advantage of me

AGENT

No

ESTHER

I'm so hot and bothered that I don't know

My elbow from my ear

Suffer something awful each time you go

But it's much worse when you're near

Here am I with all my bridges burned

Just a babe in arms where you're concerned

So lock the doors call me yours

'Cause you took advantage of me

AGENT

Yes

ESTHER

No

So I got into a tab show

All I did was kick my feet

You'd hardly call it a chance to sing

But at least it was a chance to eat

They call it black bottom

A new swisher

A sure galloon

An old sister

They clap their hands and do a raggedy trot

Hot

And young fellows with flamenco

And young fellows the way they go

They jump right in and give it all that they've got

Then one night something happened

Dame fortune showed her face

The star got sick and I was told to go on in her place

But she recovered

Oh well

Song

Black bottom a new rhythm

When you spot 'em you go with 'em

And do that black black black black bottom

You won't be blue when you have got 'em

If you do that black black black black bottom all day

But finally I got an offer to sing in New York

And I wired them I'm on my way

I had visions that this would be

A fabulous famous cafe

Filled with high society

Elegant and spruce

And I pictured me the epitome

Of a very chic chanteuse

Peanuts

Through every city town and country lane

You hear him sing his

Plaintive little strain

And as he goes by to you he'll say

Male voice speaking

Sing Melancholy Baby

ESTHER

Peanuts

The little children like to trail along

They like to hear the peanut vendor's song

They all laugh with glee when he will say

Male and Esther's voice speaking

Sing Melancholy Baby

ESTHER

Come to me my melancholy baby

Cuddle up and don't be blue

All your fears are foolish fancies maybe

You know dear that I'm in love with you

Every cloud must have a silver lining

Wait until the sun shines through

Smile my honey dear

While I kiss away each tear

Or else I shall be melancholy too

My benefactor appeared with his card

And at first I thought he was fresh

Huh fresh

Song

He was fresh from heaven all right

He produced the show that gave me the chance

To sing for you tonight

Swanee how I love you how I love you

My dear old Swanee

I'd give the world to be among the folks in

D-I-X-I-E-ven now my mammy's waitin' for me

Prayin' for me down by the Swanee

The folks up north will see me no more

When I get to that Swanee shore

Swanee Swanee I'm coming back to Swanee

Mammy Mammy I love the old folks at home

I loves ya Swanee

How I love you how I love you

My dear old Swanee

I'd give the world if I could only be

Sittin' on my mammy's knee

I love the old folks I love the young folks

Oh my bunny let me love ya more than Alabamy

Mammy Mammy my dear old mammy

Your wanderin' child will wander no more

When I get to that Swanee shore

So I can't quite be called overnight sensation

For it started many years ago

When I was born in a trunk at the Princess Theater

In Pocatello Idaho