Thou Swell

By Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart
1927

A Rodgers & Hart favorite, composed for the stage production of their musical, A Connecticut Yankee. It was first sung on stage by William Gaxton and Constance Carter, the stars of the original version. The clever lyrics are well-known for blending old-style English with 1920s slang.

Lyrics:

Thou swell! Thou witty!
Thou sweet! Thou grand!
Wouldst kiss me pretty?
Wouldst hold my hand?

Both thine eyes are cute too;
What they do to me.
Hear me holler I choose a Sweet lollapaloosa in thee.

I'd feel so rich in a hut for two;
Two rooms and a kitchen I'm sure would do;
Give me just a plot of,
Not a lot of land,
And Thou swell! Thou Witty! Thou Grand!

Recorded By:

Nat King Cole
Sarah Vaughan
Frank Sinatra
Blossom Dearie
Joe Williams