Button Up Your Overcoat lyrics

Words and music by DeSylva, Brown, and Henderson

Listen, big boy,

Now that I’ve got you made,

Goodness, but I’m afraid,

Something’s going to happen to you;

Listen, big boy,

You’ve got me hooked, and how,

I would die if I should lose you now!

Button up your overcoat,

When the wind is free,

Take good care of yourself,

You belong to me!

Oh, eat an apple every day,

Get to bed by three,

Take good care of yourself,

You belong to me!

Be careful crossing streets, ooh-ooh,

Don’t eat meats, ooh-ooh,

Cut out sweets, ooh-ooh,

You’ll get a pain and ruin your tum-tum!

Keep away from bootleg hooch

When you’re on a spree,

Take good care of yourself,

You belong to me!

Don’t step on hornet’s tails, ooh-ooh!

Or on nails, ooh-ooh!

Or third rails, ooh-ooh!

You’ll get a pain and ruin your tum-tum!

Oh, button up your overcoat,

When the wind is free,

Take good care of yourself,

You belong to me!

Oh, wear your flannel underwear,

When you climb a tree,

Take good care of yourself,

You belong to me!

Steer clear of frozen ponds, ooh-ooh,

Peroxide blondes, ooh-ooh,

Stocks and bonds, ooh-ooh,

You’ll get a pain, ruin your bankroll!

Keep the spoon out of your cup,

When you’re drinking tea,

Take good care of yourself,

You belong to me!

• Artist:Ruth Etting
• Album:Water for Elephants soundtrack