Good Morning, Dearie/Melican Papa

by Jerome Kern (music) and Anne Caldwell (lyrics)

Verse 1

China man a big fool, went to night school,
Learn to be a Yankee ev'ry day;
Sent across the waters for my daughters,
Bringing up a fam'ly Yankee way.
Met my children when they land
In a fliver, second hand.

Chorus

"Papa, oh papa, What a Yankee dad you are!"
Said Sing Far and Sing Sat As they climbed into the car.
But I was an ass! Now I'm working for the gas.
Oh By Blosh! By Glum! They put me on the blum;
That's quite regular For a Melican papa.

Verse 2

Bought a little home out on Long Island,
Pay a little on extortion plan, Bought a little ticket, computation,
Now I am a had-luck Chinaman.
After working hard all day,
I got home and then they say:

Chorus

"Papa, oh papa, Go and wash the motor car;
When you're through, change a shoe. What a lazy dog you are!"
The lawn must be mowed, The potatoes must be hoed.
Oh, By Gee! By Heck! I get it in the neck;
That's quite regular For a Melican papa.

At early dawn when I get up, They all are sleeping but the pup.
I sift the ashes, cart the coals, In slippers without any soles.
I do the wash each Monday morn, I wish that I was never born.
Oh my! Oh me! I'm such a blue Chinee;
It's tough when you are Like a Melican papa.

Verse 3

Want to raise 'em up like Yankee children,
So a little nursery room we had;
They will never play there, they reserve it Just to lock me up in when I'm bad.
When I start to town each day,
They pop you up and loudly say:

Chorus

"Papa, oh papa, Bring us each a kiddie car;
Bring a spade, and a pail, And a pony with a tail.
Oh pop, bring a top, And a dog with ears that flop."
Why don't you go And tackle your mamma?
It's quite regular For a Melican papa.

A woolly lambkin that can bleat A jumping Jack with funny feet;
A Teddy Bear as tall as I, An airship that can really fly,
A train of cars, a donkey carr, A ball and bat, that's just to start.
Oh my! Oh me! I am a poor Chinee;
It's quite regular for a Melican papa.