Bell Bottom Trousers

Performed by Louis Prima, Lilyann Carol
Recorded February 1945
Written by Moe Jaffe

When I was a lady's maid down in drury lane
My mistress, she was good to me; my master, just the same
Along came a sailor, happy as could be
And he was the cause of all my misery

[chorus]
Bell Bottom Trousers, coat of navy blue
She loves her sailor and he loves her too.

He asked me for a candle to light him up to bed
He asked me for a kerchief to tie around his head
And I, like a silly girl, thinking it no harm
Lay down beside him, just to keep him warm

[repeat chorus]

Early in the mornin', before the break of day
A sawbuck note he left for me before he went away
And he left a message, that if I have a son
Let him be a sailor, if he wants to have some fun

[repeat chorus]

If it is a daughter, bounce her on your knee
And if it is a boy, send the bugger out to sea
Bell Bottom Trousers, coat of navy blue
Oh, he'll climb the riggin', like the sailors used to do

If my sailor I can't find on the bounding main,
I am hopeful he will soon come home safe again.
So we can get married, and raise a family
Dress up all their kiddies in sailor's dungarees:

[lyrics heavily modified from the original sheet music]