A Stranger In Paree

Written for: Gold Diggers In Paris (1938)
Performer: Rudy Vallee, Rosemary Lane, Allen Jenkins, Mabel Todd, Gloria Dixon, Hugh Herbert, Schnickelfritz Band & Studio Chorus
Lyric: Al Dubin
Music: Harry Warren
Year: 1938
Original publisher: Remick Music Corp.

Verse:

I hate to sermonize, but I surmise,
I could advise a lot of guys
Who've never seen Paree.
So, should you take the trip, and make the trip,
When you arrive, before you slip,
Just lend an ear to me,
A drop of cognac, an apér'tif,
And then another, and then you're stiff;
If you ever promenade the boulevard,
Be on your guard, it isn't hard
To stumble in Paree;
Though, for your protection they may have gendarmes,
How can they keep you away from Mimi's arms?

Chorus 1:

If you're lonely, you're in danger,
If you happen to be a stranger
In gay Paree,
Ah, oui, oui!
There are lots of famous places
You'll never get to see.
When a pair of lips, "Bonjour" you
And two beautiful eyes, "Amour" you,
You'll wonder why,
So did I.
I met her at the Martinique,
There isn't much to tell;
She was so chic and I was weak,
And so, I fell for the Mademoiselle
And discovered that she was from New Rochelle.
Her French was simply frightful,
But her kisses were so delightful,
How she fooled me!
Ah, oui, oui!
If you're lonely, you're in danger,
If you happen to be a stranger
In gay Paree.

Chorus 2 (from movie):

(Rosemary Lane:) In Vienna or in Venice,
There's no feminine form of menace,
Like you can see
In Paree!
The Frenchmen are so charming,
Gallant and debonair,
And you'll find when you are with 'em,
They've got ev'rything else but rhythm;
They do and dare,
So, girls, beware!
(Mabel Todd:) You may not care for pom-de-terre,
(Allen Jenkins:) But their poulet is swell;
(Gloria Dixon:) And all their wine is very fine,
(Hugh Herbert:) You drink a bottle of sparkling moselle,
And forget the way back to your own hotel.
(All:) You may be made of iron
And resist any lovely siren,
But wait till she
(Schnicklefritzes:) Says, "Cherie."
(All:) If you're lovely, you're in danger
If you happen to be a stranger
In gay Paree.