Mario Lanza (et al) sing "The Donkey Serenade"

UPDATE: Somebody on the Yahoo donkey shared this wonderful clip of "Donkey Serenade" from a 1937 movie...



Here's the Mario Lanza version I posted originally...

Here's Enrico Caruso doing it.

(Listen to the two Italians carefully using American R!)

Also note that, though the song is entitled Donkey Serenade, a mule features in the lyrics. I'm sure this is because "donkey" does not rhyme with "fool." I guess he could have sung: I'll sing to the donkey/ If you're sure she won't think that I am just a honkey.

THERE'S A SONG IN THE AIR,
BUT THE FAIR SENORITA DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE,
FOR THE SONG IN THE AIR.
SO, I'LL SING TO THE MULE,
IF YOU'RE SURE SHE WON'T THINK
THAT I AM JUST A FOOL,
SERENADING A MULE.

AMIGO MIO, DOES SHE NOT HAVE A DAINTY BRAY?
SHE LISTENS CAREFULLY TO EACH
LITTLE TUNE YOU PLAY.
LA BELLA SENORITA!
SI,SI, MI MUCHACHITA.
SHE'D LOVE TO SING IT TOO
IF ONLY SHE KNEW THE WAY.
BUT TRY AS SHE MAY,
IN HER VOICE THERE'S A FLAW,
AND ALL THAT THE LADY CAN SAY IS,
'HEE HAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!'
(BAND PLAYS MELODY WHILE VM HOLDS THE NOTE)

SENORITA, DONKEY'S FEET ARE
NOT SO FLEET AS A MOSQUITO,
BUT SO SWEET LIKE MY CHIQUITA,
YOU'RE THE ONE FOR ME! (BAND YELLS 'HEY!')
(BAND SWINGS THE TUNE, WITH SOLO LEADS BY
SAX, PIANO ,AND DRUMS CONSECUTIVELY.)

BUT TRY AS SHE MAY,
IN HER VOICE THERE'S A FLAW,
AND ALL THAT THE LADY CAN SAY IS,
'HEE HAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!
(AGAIN BAND PLAYS WHILE VM HOLDS THE NOTE)

SENORITA, DONKEY'S FEET ARE
NOT SO FLEET AS A MOSQUITO,
BUT SO SWEET LIKE MY CHIQUITA,
YOU'RE THE ONE FOR ME!!

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