Oriental Swing by Lil Hardin Armstrong Lyrics

[Instrumental Intro]

Now, Arab sheiks on the burning sands
Commanded their harems and clapped their hands
Said, "Come on, girls, ready to play?
Let's have a little more of that swingin' today."

[Instrumental]

Now, geisha girls in old Japan
Wink behind their peacock fans
Since they learned to say, "Yeah, man
Let's swing it like Amelican's swing swing band!"

[Instrumental]

Now, in the land of Fu Manchu
The girls all now do the Suzie-Q
Clap their hands in the center of the floor
Sayin', "Ching-ching chop-suey swing some mo'!"
[Instrumental]

Now, Gypsy caravans have changed their mode
They truck down the Romany roads
With their hi-de-hoes, and their hey-hey-diddle
Doin' the swing on the Gypsy fiddle

[Instrumental]

Them eastern wise-men know the story
Of swing with Oriental glory
They stroke their beards and grin
Sayin', "Swing, little tune, till the dawn comes in!"