By an odd twist of fate, Exlibris seems to have become the quasi-official
repository of knowledge about Hughes Mearns' little poem. In keeping with
that spirit, I am just dropping into the archives more information about the
poem kindly provided me by Welsey Moore. It concerns setting the poem to
music.
Everett Wilkie
2006 Carey Road
Kinston, NC 28501
252-522-0261
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----- Original Message -----
From: Moore, Wesley F
To: Everett Wilkie
Sent: Monday, March 01, 2004 1:40 PM
Subject: RE: Hughes Mearns
I think this is the song you refer to (note the words to the quatrain have
been altered a bit, plus verses added):
( See: http://www.nefkom.net/al-foster/t-titles.htm#t15)
The Little Man Who Wasn't There
As recorded by the Glenn Miller Orchestra on July 12th 1939 with Tex
Beneke.
Words by Harold Adamson, music by Bernie Hanighen.
Tex Beneke is whistling (whistlewhistlewhistle)...
Glenn Miller: Hello there, Texas, whatcha say?
Are you whistling in the dark just to scare the ghost
away?
Tex Beneke: I know there's something following me that I can't see
Someone sure laid an awful hex on me!
Glenn Miller: A hex? Ah, Tex, that's pretty far-fetched.
Man, I'd say you're just a little bit tetched!
Tex Beneke: You'd got a load of what I saw last night
You'd pass the Yankee Clipper on its maiden flight!
Last night I saw upon the stair
A little man who wasn't there
He wasn't there again today
Oh, how I wish he'd go away...
When I came home last night at three
The man was waiting there for me
But when I looked around the hall
I couldn't see him there at all!
Go away, go away, don't you come back any more!
Go away, go away, and please don't slam the door... (slam!)
Last night I saw upon the stair
A little man who wasn't there
He wasn't there again today
Oh, how I wish he'd go away!