Leaning on a lamp post & Cheek to cheek (arr. Ponniah)
02:17 duration|Composed in 2022|Difficulty: Advanced|First performed: June 2022
Two of the Queen’s favourite songs were Leaning on a lamp post (sung by George Formby) and Cheek to cheek (Fred Astaire). I wrote an arrangement that combines the two songs for Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Text
I’m leaning on a lamp, maybe you think I look a tramp.
Or you may think I’m hanging ’round to steal a car.
But no, I’m not a crook, and if you think that’s what I look,
I’ll tell you why I’m here and what my motives are.
I’m leaning on a lamppost at the corner of the street
In case a certain royal lady comes by.
Oh me, oh my, I hope the royal lady comes by.
I don’t know if she’ll get away, she doesn’t always get away
But anyhow I know that she’ll try.
Oh me, oh my, I hope the royal lady comes by.
There’s no other girl I would wait for,
But this one I’d break any date for.
I won’t have to ask what she’s late for,
She wouldn’t leave me flat, she’s not a girl like that.
Heaven, I’m in heaven.
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak.
And I seem to find the happiness I seek
When we’re out together dancing cheek to cheek.
Heaven, I’m in heaven.
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak.
Oh she’s absolutely wonderful and marvellous and beautiful
And anyone can understand why
I’m leaning on a lamppost at the corner of the street
Until a certain royal lady passes by.
Noel Gay (1898-1954) & Irving Berlin (1888-1989)
