Lyrics: "Give a Little Whistle" by Carolyn Leigh

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. That will continue for the weekend, so I'll return to what I always do when I don't have anything original to say: post some lyrics by musical-theatre songwriters I admire, in this case more Carolyn Leigh lyrics. This is "Give a Little Whistle," which she and Cy Coleman wrote for Wildcat; it's got the usual Leigh trademarks of internal rhymes ("I will glide to your side on the spare") and unusual turns of phrase ("But if in case," "I'll huddle in a cave," "crook your crooked little finger").

Verse 1

SHE
From now on
I promise to behave;
I'll pack my gear and disappear from view.
From now on
I'll huddle in a cave,
But if in case you miss the face that used to pester you,

Refrain 1

Just give a little whistle,
Ring a little bell,
Crook your little finger, honey,
Give a little yell.
I'll leap over fences,
I'll even leave my senses
And I'll take, for your sake, to the air.
Just give a little whistle,
Say you want me, and I'll be there.

Verse 2

HE
Pardon me,
It tickles me to death
To hear you say you'll be a lady yet.
Pardon me
If I don't hold my breath,
But on the day that you can play a shrinking violet,

Refrain 2

Just give a little whistle,
Brew a little tea,
Send me out an invite, honey,
This I gotta see.
The day you're a woman,
Or even halfway human,
Though there may be some grey in your hair,
Just give a little whistle,
Notify me, and I'll be there.
On the spot,
On the dot,
Like a shot,
I'll be there.

Verse 3

MEN
Ain't that nice!
It makes a fella feel
Like if'n you would like to do the same.

WOMEN
Don't think twice!
You've got yourself a deal,
And if in case you like the face and can't recall the name,

Refrain 3

ALL
Just give a little whistle,
Ring a little bell,
Crook your crooked little finger, honey,
Give a little yell.
I'll streak like an arrow
Through alleys wide and narrow,
Down a drain or a main thoroughfare.
Just give a little whistle,
Say you want me, and I'll be there.
If you're short,
Or in court,
Hold the fort,
I'll be there.

Refrain 5

Give a little whistle,
Ring a little bell,
Crook your crooked little finger, honey,
Give a little yell.
I'll brave flood and fire,
Suppose I blow a tire,
I will glide to your side on the spare.
Just give a little whistle,
Say you want me, and I'll be there.

Coda

Lively as a thistle
Floating on the air,
Give a little whistle...
And I'll be there.