How Long Has This Been Going On?

(album: Ella: The Legendary Decca Recordings - 1995)

'Neath the stars, at bazaars
Often I've had to caress men
Five or ten, dollars then, I'd collect from all those yes-men
Don't be sad, I must add, that they meant no more than chess-men

Darling, can't you see?
'Twas for charity?
Though these lips have made slips, it was never really serious
Who'd have thought, I'd be brought to a state that's so delirious?

I could cry salty tears
Where have I been all these years?
Little wow, tell me now
How long has this been going on?

There were chills up my spine
And some thrills I can't define
Listen sweet, I repeat
How long has this been going on?

Oh, I feel that I could melt
Into heaven I'm hurled
I know how Columbus felt
Finding another world

Kiss me once, then once more
What a dunce I was before
What a break, for heaven's sake
How long has this been going on?

[spoken]
Kiss me twice, once more, thrice, make it four

What a break, for heaven's sake
How long has this been going on?