SINGING A VAGABOND SONG
Harry Richman / Val Burton / Sam Messenheimer  1929

Harry Richman w Earl Burtnett & his 
Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel Orch  
rec Dec 11th 1929 Los Angeles

also rec by-
Ted Lewis & his Orch '30
Nat Shilkret & The Victor Orch '30
Frank Luther
Dean Martin
Cavan O'Connor


I'm a wanderer through life's highway,
Facing the world with a song and a smile.
Old Man Trouble, he keeps from my way,
Happiness travels with me all the while.
I'm not one of that great legion
With their troubles and cares,
And though I haven't much religion,
Here's my only prayer;

Give me the road, the wide winding highway,
Just let me know thos unbeaten byeways,
And I'll travel along
Singing a vagabond song.

Give me the flowers, that birdsong at dawning,
Just let me see that sunrise each morning,
And I'll travel along
Singing a vagabond song.

Happy you may be with your fasshions, your passions,
In all the snug parts that you play,
But you couldn't trade me with your foolery, your jewellery,
I'm monarch of all I survey!

Give me the stars, that heaven above me,
Just let me know that power who will love me,
And I'll travel along
Singing a vagabond song.

Give me the road, the wide winding highway,
Just let me know thos unbeaten byeways,
And I'll travel along
Singing a vagabond song.

Where are the flowers, the little birdsong at dawning?
Oh, let me see that sunrise each morning,
And I'll travel along
Singing a vagabond song.

Happy you may be with your fasshions, your passions,
In all the snug parts that you might play.
Now you couldn't trade me with your foolery, your jewellery,
Look at me, I'm king of all I survey!

Come on and gimme the stars, God's heaven above me,
Where is that power, the one who will love me?
And I'll travel along
Singing a vagabond song.



(Transcribed by Peter Akers - March 2011)