You'll Have To Swing It (Mr. Paganini)

(album: For Ella - 2002)

The concert was over in Carnegie Hall
The maestro took bow after bow
He said, "My dear friends, I have given my all
I'm sorry, it's all over now"
When from the balcony way up high
There suddenly came a mournful cry

Oh, Mr. Paganini
Please, play my rhapsody
And if you cannot play it, won't you sing it?
And if you can't sing you simply have to [scat]

Listen Paganini
We breathlessly await your masterful détente
Go on and sling it
And if you can't sling it you simply have to [scat]

We heard your repertoire
And at the final bar
We greeted you with wild applause
But what a great ovation
Your interpretation of:
'I never cared much for moonlight skies
I never blinked back at fireflies'
Would do

So, Paganini don't you be a meanie
What have you up your sleeve?
Come on and spring it
And if you can't spring it, you simply have to [scat]

Listen Paganini, please play my rhapsody
And if you cannot play it, won't you sing it?
If the boys is bopping
Ain't no need in stopping
[Scat]

Listen Paganini
We breathlessly await your masterful détente
Come on and spring it
If the boys is bopping
Ain't no need in stopping
[Scat]

I heard your repertoire and
At the final bar
We greeted you, we greeted you
With wild applause
But what a great ovation
Your interpretation of
[Scat]

Listen Paganini
Now, don't you be a meanie
What have you up your sleeve?
Come on and spring it
And if you can't spring it, you simply have to
Swing it