RIVIERA, THE
Coleman / McCarthy

as rec by Blossom Dearie (vocal & piano) 
w Ray Brown (bass) Herb Ellis (guitar) & Jo Jones (drums)  
September 1957


The Riviera;
On every street a gay casino,
Where continentals sip their vino
And leave their fortunes to chance!
The Riviera;
here matrons draped in Paris fashions
Prolong the twilight of their passions
In mad pursuit of romance!

Every gay mademoiselle
Is disarmning some maharajah
With the daring of her decortage.
Life is so completely zany and free
By the Mediterranean Sea.

Ah, the Riviera,
Where every golden code of suntan
Has cost the gold of more than one man
Who wasn't warned in advance;
He may take to his heart all the wonders of France!
Then, as a token for the dough he has sunk,
He gets a little label slapped on his trunk!
The Riviera!

The Riviera;
On every street a gay casino,
Where continentals sip their vino
And leave their fortunes to chance!
The Riviera;
here matrons draped in Paris fashions
Prolong the twilight of their passions
In mad pursuit of romance!

Every gay mademoiselle
Is disarmning some maharajah
With the daring of her decortage.
Life is so completely zany and free
By the Mediterranean Sea.

Ah, the Riviera,
Where every golden code of suntan
Has cost the gold of more than one man
Who wasn't warned in advance;
He may take to his heart all the wonders of France!
Then, as a token for the dough he has sunk,
He gets a little label slapped on his trunk!
The Riviera!



(Transcribed by Peter Akers - September 2011)