The Brown Skin Gal In The Calico Gown
Duke Ellington · Other Songs - Duke Ellington
an old fashioned curt'sy
And a how dee ya' do,
a tintype from somebody's locket
The wind and the stars and the earth
But in practical terms of the pocket,
Here's how I measure her worth
A penny for the moon, a nickel for a dream,
a quarter for a tune like the "Old Mill Stream"
But I'd give a dollar and my heart to foller to
The Brown-Skin Gal In The Calico Gown.
A puzzler for a pal
A jack-knife for a song, a garter for a gal
in a blue sarong:
But I'd give a necklace because I'm reckless
for a kiss from the miss in the Calico Gown.
Havent much use for worldly goods
Robin Hood's for me; if my love's worth a nickel,
It's worth a Peso mine for the giving;
hers for the "say so"
A penny for a cart to take her out to dine;
a scissor cuts a heart on a valentine;
then a sky-blue bonnet with pink ribbons on it
for The Brown-Skin Gal In The Calico Gown.
A penny for the moon, a nickel for a dream,
a quarter for a tune like the "Old Mill Stream"
But I'd give a dollar and my heart to foller to
The Brown-Skin Gal In The Calico Gown.
A puzzler for a pal
A jack-knife for a song, a garter for a gal
in a blue sarong:
But I'd give a necklace because I'm reckless
for a kiss from the miss in the Calico Gown.
Havent much use for worldly goods
Robin Hood's for me; if my love's worth a nickel,
It's worth a Peso mine for the giving;
hers for the "say so"
A penny for a cart to take her out to dine;
a scissor cuts a heart on a valentine;
then a sky-blue bonnet with pink ribbons on it
for The Brown-Skin Gal In The Calico Gown.
The Brown Skin Gal In The Calico Gown
Duke Ellington's 'The Brown Skin Gal In The Calico Gown' stands as a vibrant testament to his mastery of jazz composition and arrangement. Recorded during the swing era, the track showcases Ellington's signature ability to blend complex harmonies with rhythmic sophistication, drawing inspiration from African American folk traditions and spirituals. The piece features a distinctive call-and-response structure that highlights the improvisational spirit central to his orchestra's performances. As a staple of his discography, the song exemplifies the genre's evolution, capturing the warmth and social consciousness often found in Ellington's work. It remains a significant example of the era's big band sound, reflecting the cultural richness of the mid-20th century through its melodic lines and orchestral texture.