Songwriter
Charles R. Grean adapted a
traditional song, "
The Tailor's Boy," to make a
pop hit that featured three
drum beats (boom bah-boom) as the
hook instead of a
vocal catch phrase.
Arthur Godfrey recorded it, as did the
Ames brothers, and it
charted for both of them, but it was
Phil Harris of
the Jack Benny Show who had the #1 hit with
"The Thing" for 5 weeks in
1950.
(The asterisks below represent the drum beats)
While I was walking down the beach one bright and sunny day,
I saw a great big wooden box a-floating in the bay.
I pulled it in and opened it up and much to my surprise,
Ooh, I discovered a * * * right before my eyes.
Ooh, I discovered a * * * right before my eyes.
I picked it up and ran to town as happy as a king.
I took it to a guy I knew who'd buy 'most anything.
But this is what he hollered at me as I walked in his shop:
"Ooh, get out of here with that * * * before I call a cop!
Ooh, get out of here with that * * * before I call a cop!"
Looking for complete lyrics? Try: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PhilHarris/