The Vamp

Words and Music by Byron Gay

Hear this song 
sung by Joseph C. Smith's Orchestra with Harry MacDonough and Billy Murray (c1919.) 
from archive.org.

Hear Brian Hefferan sing his 2004 version 
from his Everybody's Doin' It album.

View original 1919 sheet music from the 
Lester S. Levy Collection at Johns Hopkins University.




[Verse 1]
Gm   D7 Gm  D7    Gm   D7    Gm D7 Gm D7....
Ev'--ry bo--dy  - do - the - vamp
Gm   D7  Gm  D7     Gm    D7   Gm ...
Vamp un--til you -  get - a  - cramp
Gm   D7   G   D7   G    Am  B7
Grab your tootsie, hold her tight
Em    B7     E7   Am   Am   B7   Am Gdim
While they're playing, just keep swaying
G           D7        Am          D7        
Do a little what-not, do a little fox trot
Am              D7       G  G7
When you cuddle up don't fight

[Chorus]
C                 Em
Vamp - and sing a long,  keep a doing it
Am                Em
Vamp - and sing a song,  don't you ruin it
Dm           C                  D7                  G   G7
Do - a nifty step, with lots of pep, and watch your reputation
C             Em
Do - a Bumble Bee, buzz around a bit
Am               Em
Shake - a wicked knee, she will fall for it
Dm                   C                 D7                 G7     C
Vamp - all night and day, Keep vamping till you vamp your cares away


[Verse 2]
Gm   D7  Gm  D7  Gm  D7  Gm
Ah!  Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah!  
Vamp the little lady, Vamp the little lady 
Vamp the little lady, Vamp the little lady
Gm   D7  Gm  D7  Gm  D7  Gm
Ah!  Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah!  
She will like it, maybe, She will like it, maybe 
She will like it, maybe, oh you pretty baby
Gm   D7  G   D7   G  Am  B7
Ah!  Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah!  
Make it good and snappy, Make it good and snappy 
Make it good and snappy, Make it good and snappy
Em  B7  E7  Am  Am  B7  Am Gdim
Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah!
G              D7      Am             D7        
Guess I got to go now, guess I got to go now
Am           D7     G      G7
'sev'ry body happy, sure.  Good!