[1st verse:] 'Tis a sad, sad day for me This day of lemonade and tea For now my dancing aspirations haven't got a chance In the Harlem cabarets I used to spend my nights and days Partaking of my favorite indoor sport, the shimmy dance On the day they introduced their prohibition laws They just went and ruined the greatest shimmy dancer because [1st refrain:] You cannot make your shimmy shake on tea It simply can't be done You'll find your shaking ain't taking Unless you has the proper jazz That only comes with such drinks as Green River, Haig and Haig, and Hennessey Way out in China Among the pale Chinese There's nothing finer Than good old China teas But then you never saw a Chinaman A-shaking his chemise 'Cause you cannot make your shimmy shake on tea [2nd refrain:] You cannot make your shimmy shake on tea It simply can't be done You'll find your shaking ain't taking The shimmy, it is intricate And so you needs a little bit Of Scotch or rye to lubricate your knee A cup of Ceylon It may be strong or weak Won't help you spoil on Because it's much too meek Besides, a drink that's soft Will very often ruin your technique No, you cannot make your shimmy shake on tea
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