(Rennold Wolf & Irving Berlin)
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[1st verse:]
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'Tis a sad, sad day for me
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This day of lemonade and tea
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For now my dancing aspirations haven't got a chance
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In the Harlem cabarets
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I used to spend my nights and days
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Partaking of my favorite indoor sport, the shimmy dance
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On the day they introduced their prohibition laws
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They just went and ruined the greatest shimmy dancer because
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[1st refrain:]
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You cannot make your shimmy shake on tea
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It simply can't be done
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You'll find your shaking ain't taking
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Unless you has the proper jazz
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That only comes with such drinks as
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Green River, Haig and Haig, and Hennessey
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Way out in China
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Among the pale Chinese
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There's nothing finer
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Than good old China teas
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But then you never saw a Chinaman
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A-shaking his chemise
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'Cause you cannot make your shimmy shake on tea
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[2nd refrain:]
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You cannot make your shimmy shake on tea
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It simply can't be done
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You'll find your shaking ain't taking
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The shimmy, it is intricate
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And so you needs a little bit
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Of Scotch or rye to lubricate your knee
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A cup of Ceylon
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It may be strong or weak
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Won't help you spoil on
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Because it's much too meek
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Besides, a drink that's soft
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Will very often ruin your technique
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No, you cannot make your shimmy shake on tea
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You Cannot Make Your Shimmy Shake On Tea
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| Irving Berlin |
