Songs and Lyrics (Lehrer)/George Murphy
GEORGE MURPHY
(recorded version, from That Was the Year That Was)
words and music by Tom Lehrer
Hollywood's often tried to mix
Show business with politics,
From Helen Gahagan
To Ronald Reagan.
But Mister Murphy is the star
Who's done the best by far.
Oh, gee, it's great,
At last we've got a senator who can really sing and dance.
We can't expect America to win against its foes
With no one in the Senate who can really tap his toes.
The movies that you've seen
On your television screen
Show his legislative talents at a glance:
Should American's pick crops? George says "No,
'Cause no one but a Mexican would stoop so low,
And, after all, even in Egypt the Pharaohs
Had to import Hebrew braceros.
Just think of all the musicals we have in store.
Imagine Broadway Melody of 1984!
Yes, now that he's a senator, he's really got the chance
To give the public
A song and dance.
THE GEORGE MURPHY CAMPAIGN SONG
words and music by Tom Lehrer
from the TV show "That Was the Week That Was" (1964)
Oh, what we really need in the Senate
Is a fellow who can sing and dance.
We can't expect America to win against its foes
With no one in the Senate who can really tap his toes
Each time that we convene
I can do a new routine
Like the one where I'm a clown in baggy pants.
To prolong a filibuster I can do my part
With like seven hundred choruses of "Peg O' My Heart".
I'll be making friends with Russia, China, maybe even France
With my famous song and dance!
RECITATION: (schmaltzy music underneath with much violin)
(for the text see the Addenda file)
'Cause what we really need in the Senate
Is a fellow who can sing and dance.
Each measure I propose will take me back to vaudeville,
'Cause my name will be up there at the top of the bill.
The movies that you've seen
On your television screen
Show my legislative talent at a glance,
Why, even Mr. Salinger admits it's so.
He's demanded equal time on the Late, Late Show.
Yes, like every other Senator, I only want the chance
To give the public
A song
And dance!
GEORGE MURPHY - ADDENDA
Dance breaks in Tomfoolery: (stop-time, soft-shoe, not sung)
(dance)
They said that the role was out of his range
But you're never too old for a shuffle-ball-change
(dance)
On Capitol Hill as in vaudeville
His name wil be a the top of the bill
(dance)
Optional second chorus, after the above dance breaks:
In top hat and tails or even baggy pants
The moviegoers proved that he could count on them.
They loved him in November as they did at MGM.
Yes, like everyone in Washington he only wants the chance
To give the public a song and dance.
Recitation inserted in "The George Murphy Campaign Song"
(possibly used in the earlier TV version on "That Was the Week That Was")
Movie fans! Voters of California!
Remember "Broadway Melody of 1938"?
What greater hoofer could you find to represent your state?
I'll win each voter's heart --- now is that idea so crazy?
Remember how I won Ann Sothern's heart in "Up Goes Maisie"?
You'll just have to admit that I'm the best man for the job
If you ever saw me in "A Girl, A Guy, and A Gob".
But Washington is now more chic, and Hollywood is duller,
So, voters,
(sung) Will you love me in November as you did in Technicolor?