[Intro]
The concert was over in Carnegie Hall
The maestro took bow after bow
He said, "My dear friends, I have given my all
I'm sorry, it's all over now"
When from the balcony way up high
There suddenly came a mournful cry

[Chorus 1]
Oh, Mr. Paganini
Please, play my rhapsody
And if you cannot play it, won't you sing it?
And if you can't sing, you simply have to...

[Chorus 2]
Listen, Paganini
We breathlessly await your masterful detente
Go on and sling it
And if you can't sling it, you simply have to...

[Verse]
We heard your repertoire
And at the final bar
We greeted you with wild applause
But what a great ovation
Your interpretation of
"I never cared much for moonlight skies
I never blinked back at fireflies"
Would do
[Chorus 3]
So, Paganini, don't you be a meanie
What have you up your sleeve?
Come on and spring it
And if you can't spring it, you simply have to...

[Chorus 4]
Listen, Paganini
Please, play my rhapsody
And if you cannot play it, won't you sing it?
If the boys is bopping
Ain't no need in stopping...

[Verse]
We heard your repertoire
And at the final bar
We greeted you, we greeted you with wild applause
But what a great ovation
Your interpretation...

[Chorus 5]
Listen, Paganini
Now, don't you be a meanie
What have you up your sleeve?
Come on and spring it
And if you can't spring it, you simply have to
Swing it