But Not For Me

But Not For Me
music by George Gershwin (left)
lyric by Ira Gershwin (right)

Old man sunshine---listen you!
Never tell me Dreams Come True!
Just try it---and I'll start a riot.
Beatrice Fairfax---don't you dare ever tell me she/he will care;
I'm certain it's the Final Curtain.
I never want to hear from any cheerful Pollyanna's who tell you Fate supplies a mate---
It's all bananas!

They're writing songs of love, but not for me;
A lucky star's above, but not for me.
With Love to Lead The Way, I've found more Clouds of Gray
Than any Russian play could guarantee.

I was a fool to fall and Get That Way;
Heigh ho! Alas! And also Lack-a-day!
Love ain't done right by Nell; However---what the hell!
I guess he's not for me.

He's knocking on a door, but not for me;
He'll plan a two by four, but not for me.
I've heard that Love's a Game, I'm puzzled just the same---
Was I the Moth or Flame...?
I'm all at sea.

It started off so swell, this "Let's Pretend";
It all began so well; but what an end!
The climax of a plot should be the marriage knot,
But there's no knot for me.

(alternate refrain 2)
It all began so well, but what an end!
This is the time a Feller Needs a Friend:
When ev'ry happy plot ends with the marriage knot---
And there's no knot for me...

They're writing songs of love, but not for me;
A lucky star's above, but not for me.
With Love to Lead the Way, I've found more Skies of Gray
Than any Russian play could guarantee.
I was a fool to fall and Get That Way;
Heigh ho! Alas! And also Lackaday!
Although I can't dismiss the mem'ry of her kiss---
I guess she's not for me...