'My Little Bimbo Down On The Bamboo Isle' Aileen Stanley (1920) Grant Clarke Walter Donaldson LYRICS

"My Little Bimbo Down On The Bamboo Isle"

This song has words by Grant Clarke (1891-1931) and music by Walter Donaldson (1893-1947).

It was featured in the 1920 Broadway show titled Silks and Satins.

Aileen Stanley makes some changes to the lyrics. For example, she uses the name "Dan" in the first verse, but that's not what sheet music says (and the 2nd version uses the name William and Bill for this same sailor).

Aileen Stanley

Victor 18691

1920

Song by Grant Clarke & Walter Donaldson

Sailor Bill McCoy was a daring sailor boy.
His ship got wrecked awhile on the Fiji-iji isle.

He led a savage life and hunted with a knife.

He said, "I'll tell you about it--don't tell my wife!"

You know, I've got a Bimbo down on
the Bamboo Isle. She's waiting there
for me beneath the bamboo tree.

Believe me, she's got the other Bimbos
beat a mile. She dances gayly, daily.
She'd made a hit with Barnum-Bailey!

I'll build a bungalow on the Bamboo Isle,
and when I go again, I'll stay awhile!

You know, I've seen wrecks--plenty of wrecks--
out on the deep blue sea. But, by heck, there
never was a wreck like the wreck she made of me.

And all she had was a great big Zulu smile.
My little Bimbo down on the Bamboo Isle!

William's boss said, "Bill, a captain's job you'll fill
upon a ship bound north. Today it's sailing forth."

You know, a captain's job is fine, but Bill said:

"I decline. I'll take half pay as a
sailor on that ship of mine."

'Cuz I've got a Bimbo down on the Bamboo Isle.
She's waiting there for me beneath a bamboo tree.
Believe me, she's got the other Bimbos beat a mile.

She's a regular, no beggar. She's the Bimboo king bootlegger.
I'll build a bungalow on the Bamboo
Isle and when I go again, I'll stay awhile!

What's that? What's a "Bimbo" mean? Ha. You take my advice.
You know, I don't know what a "Bimbo" means, but a Bimbo's
awfully nice. And all she had was a great big Zulu smile.
My little Bimbo down on the Bamboo Isle!