This is the “revival” type song that was popular back in the 20s and 30s. Another example is the “Gabriel” number in Porter’s “Anything Goes.” Ira Gershwin writes he wanted to keep the song simple and he avoided a twist at the end that might ruin the one-mindedness (as he put it) of the lyrics. The original title was “Clap-a Yo’ Hand,” which does show up in the lyrics where the present title does not. Even Ira couldn’t explain it and dismissed it as unimportant.


Notes by Frank Behrens