(1956) Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington



Buddy Bolden tune up

Blowing horn was his game

Born with a silver trumpet in his mouth

He played the horn before he talked

Born on the after beat

He patted his foot before walked



When Buddy Bolden tuned up you could hear him clean

Clean across the river clean across the river

He woke up the working people and kept the easy living

Call on Buddy Bolden call him Buddy Bolden



Watch it he's calling his flock now

He's calling his flock now here they come

Call him Buddy Bolden he's calling his flock now

Here they come here they come

Come on Buddy Bolden here they come