I Could Write a Book
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I Could Write a Book
Lyrics By Lorenz Hart Music By Richard Rodgers
While admiring a wire-haired terrier in a pet store window, Joey and Linda begin a friendly conversation. Joey recounts the “story of his life” and tells Linda she inspires him to tell more.
Rodgers & Hart’s simple love song, sung somewhat disingenuously in the musical, became a standard in the Great American Songbook. Notable pop versions include recordings by Harry Connick Jr., Vic Damone, Vince Guaraldi, Anita O’Day, Frank Sinatra and Dinah Washington.
COVERS & POP CULTURE
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“I Could Write a Book” LYRICS
Joey:
A B C D E F G,
I never learned to spell ,
At least not well.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7,
I never learned to count
A great amount.
But my busy mind is burning
To use what learning I’ve got.
I won’t waste any time,
I’ll strike while the iron is hot.
If they asked me, I could write a book
About the way you walk and whisper and look.
I could write a preface on how we met,
So the world would never forget.
And the simple secret of the plot
Is just to tell them that I love you a lot.
Then the world discovers, as my book ends,
How to make two lovers of friends.
Linda:
Use to hate to go to school;
I never cracked a book.
I played the hook.
Never answered any mail;
To write, I used to think,
Was wasting ink.
It was never my endeavor
To be too clever and smart.
Now I suddenly feel
A longing to write in my heart.
If they asked me, I could write a book
About the way you walk and whisper and look.
I could write a preface on how we met,
So the world will never forget.
And the simple secret of the plot
Is just to tell them that I love you a lot.
Then the world discovers, as my book ends,
How to make two lovers of friends.
“I Could Write a Book” by Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart
©1951 by Chappel & Co., Inc. Copyright Renewed.
Copyright Assigned to Williamson Music and WB Music Corp. for the extended renewal period of copyright in the USA.
International Copyright Secured. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.