ANNIE DOESN'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE
(Johnny Burke / Harold Spina / Joe Young)
Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians (vocal: Carmen Lombardo) - 1933
Billy Cotton & His Band (vocal: Alan Breeze) - 1934
Lew Stone & His Orch. (vocal: Joe Crossman) - 1934
Also recorded by: Eartha Kitt; Mel Tormé;
Chick Bullock; Ramona; Marlene Dietrich.
It’s a tragedy that happened on a side street
When a fellow went to ring his sweetheart’s bell
He saw the shades were drawn, and he knew his girl was gone
When he listened to the story that the neighbour had to tell
Annie doesn’t live here any more
You must be the one she waited for
She said I would know you by the blue in your eyes
Chequered suit, a fancy vest, a polka-dot tie
You answer that description, so I guess that you’re the guy
Well, Annie doesn’t live here any more.
Annie doesn’t live here any more.
It’s too bad you didn’t call before
She just bought a gown that ties with ribbons or bows
Brand new shoes, a pretty hat, the latest style goes
She really looked so alluring, and just waiting for your love
But Annie doesn’t live here any more
(Transcribed by Bill Huntley - December 2004)
*****
as rec by Carmen Lombardo & vocal trio w Guy Lombardo
& his Royal Canadians
Sep 27th 1933 Chicago
Here’s a tragedy that happened on a side street
When a fellow went to ring his sweetheart’s bell;
He saw the shades were drawn,
He knew his girl was gone,
As he listened to the story that a neighbour had to tell;
Annie doesn’t live here any more,
You must be the one she waited for.
She said I would know you by the blue in your eyes,
Checkered suit, a fancy vest, a polka dot tie.
You answer to that description, so I guess that you’re the guy,
Well, Annie doesn’t live here any more!
Annie doesn’t live here any more,
It’s too bad you didn’t call before!
She just bought a gown that ties with ribbons above,
Brand new shoes, a pretty hat, and latest style gloves.
She really looked so alluring, and just waiting for your love,
But Annie doesn’t live here any more
It was Spring,
There was romance in the air,
And everything
Seemed for loving hearts to share;
And there was she,
Just as loving and as blue as she could be;
That's the reason Annie doesn't live here any more!
Might have been your picture that she tore;
She was oh so faithful, what a pitiful sight!
Waited for the letter that you promised to write!
A gentleman with a top hat called around the other night,
And Annie doesn't live here any more!
(Transcribed by Peter Akers - February 2012)
*****
ACH, FRÄULEIN ANNIE WOHNT SCHON LANG NICHT HIER
German version as recorded by Marlene Dietrich:
Niemand weiß von den Tragödien der Vorstadt,
Denn es schweigen die Mansarden unterm Dach.
Im vierten Stock, ein Mann klopfte an der Türe an,
Doch die Türe ging nicht auf und eine Nachbarin, die sprach:
Ach, Fräulein Annie wohnt schon lang nicht hier.
Warum fragen Sie erst heut' nach ihr?
Sie sind doch der Herr, den sie uns immer beschrieb,
Blaue Augen, frecher Mund, der träumerisch blieb,
So lang hat sie gewartet und sie hatte Sie so lieb,
Nein, Fräulein Annie wohnt schon lang nicht hier.
Fräulein Annie wohnt schon lang nicht hier.
Warum kamen Sie denn nie zu ihr?
Sie stand vor dem Spiegel und probierte den Hut,
Weißes Stroh und blaues Band, der stand ihr so gut.
Doch dann fing sie an zu weinen und verlor den Lebensmut.
Nein, Fräulein Annie wohnt schon lang nicht hier.
Es war Mai und die Tage waren mild wie Zärtlichkeit,
Doch das arme liebe Kind war so allein.
Und ein kleiner Traum von Liebe stürzte ein - das ist alles.
Fräulein Annie wohnt schon lang nicht hier.
Warum fragen Sie erst heut' nach ihr?
Sie verbrannte eine alte Fotografie,
Denn der Brief, den Sie versprachen, kam leider nie.
Und schließlich stand ein and'rer Herr mit Blumen vor der Tür.
Und Fräulein Annie wohnt schon lang nicht hier.
