Lyrics The Tale of The Oyster - Howard McGillin, Cole Porter, Evans Haile

The Tale of The Oyster

Down by the sea lived a lonesome oyster
Every day getting sadder and moister
He found his home life awf’lly wet
And longed to travel with the upper set
Poor little oyster
Fate was kind to that oyster we know
When one day the chef from the Park Casino
Saw that oyster lying there
And said «I'll put you on my bill of fare.»
Lucky little oyster
See him on his silver platter
Watching the queens of fashion chatter
Hearing the wives of millionaires
Discuss their marriages and their love affairs
Thrilled little oyster
See that bivalve social climber
Feeding the rich Mrs. Hoggenheimer
Think of his joy as he gaily glides
Down to the middle of her gilded insides
Proud little oyster
After lunch Mrs. H. complains
And says to her hostess, «I've got such pains
I came to town on my yacht today
But I think I’d better hurry back to Oyster Bay.»
Scared little oyster
Off they go through the troubled tide
The yacht rolling madly from side to side
They’re tossed about till that fine young oyster
Finds that it’s time he should quit his cloister
Up comes the oyster
Back once more where he started from
He murmured, «I haven’t a single qualm
For I’ve had a taste of society
And society has had a taste of me.»
Wise little oyster