Don't you know, he was the king of saxophones

Yes indeed he was;

Talkin' 'bout the guy that made it sound so good

Some people knew him by the Bean

But Hawkins was his name



He sure could swing and play pretty too

Sounds good to me -- should sound good to you

I love to hear him playing Body and Soul

Very pleasing to the ear



When I first heard it on the record

I just stopped-- right there,

Sounded like a band of angels in the sky,

And I have never ever heard a sweeter tone

I fact I pay no 'ttention to the saxophone

'Til Coleman Hawkins came along and spoke to everyone --

Saying better listen won't you hear me,

While I play for you --



Sometimes it's hot

Then again it's blue

My soul just seems to wander,

Pleasing each and everyone --

It's what I've long been craving for



The doors have not been always open,

But I am trying to please you.

Please don't stop me.

Hope you like it folks



And then he started cookin' --

Everytime he played

Some melodic melody fast or slow

You could tell that it was Hawkins --



No other one ever has

Quite captured his tone

Just he alone --

Has the sound that penetrates

It will sure go right through you

Yes it will --

And every chorus gives you just another thrill



Then along came Eddie Jefferson

He sang the melody like Hawkins played it

He sang it true

He sang it blue

Made words for it too



All his fans in New York loved him

There's no one above him

Here in the USA

I've heard 'em say ol' Eddie was the man



Oh how he could sing

Man did he swing

Sang on the wing, did his own thing

Yes he did



Throughout the country --

Music lovers are still wiggin' on Eddie's singin'

All around the world -- he is known

Rhythm was his special joy --

He swung it like a horn



He must have been born to be a singer

'Cause his lyrics were so sincere and true

Funny sad or blue

Oh yeah!



And we've got to remind you

Many years it took him

Singing every day to achieve his first claim to fame



He was twenty years ahead of his time

And he knew it

But he kept right on-a singing

He went all around the world making rhythm

'Cause music sure was in him and he knew it was



Sang with Moody and Richie Cole

He could sing it just like Bird

But his forte was the words he wrote to

Music that he sang



So he sang, and he sang

And he sang his words so clever

And I know they'll silence him never

'Cause he cut this masterpiece



And now we're trying to sing it for you

Hope the Bean and Eddie both would still approve

There we go

We didn't mean to reminisce

You can surely bet

That we won't forget

'Cause we hear them yet

Goodbye