King of Charleston

Peter Bradford

March 1984. This is the Charleston, the most popular dance of the 1920′s. In this song Little Charlie Marsden learns how to walk like Charlie Chaplin, from the great man Himself. He turns the Chaplin walk into a dance called the Charleston. The dance Becomes famous all over the world, even at Maxim's in Paris, where he is a star, and Becomes known as the "King of Charleston". I made this up. I have no idea who Invented the Charleston or whether it was inspired by Charlie Chaplin′s walk. Lemon Barley: a fruit drink similar to lemon squash. Donkey jig: I made this up

Everyone has heard about our Charlie, he's the greatest dancer in the worldHe has a way of doing it, makes you feel like doing it
That's the way he gets to win the girls
Well, who′s the King of Charleston? Go right out and ask′em
Anyone will tell you it's the one and only
Little Charlie Marsden, he′s the King of Charleston
He can move just like a jumping bean
No matter how you take it, you just can't escape it
He′s the best the world has ever seen, they say that
He's the King of Charleston, the only King of Charleston
See him bobbing like a cotton reel
All the toffs and smarties, invite him to their parties
Just to raise their social class appeal

See the way he moves, that′s the partner I'll choose
Have you heard in the news, they bid a fortune for his shoes, they say that
Charlie used to be shy, when he was just knee high
He would run away from taller girls
Now that he is older, he can kiss my shoulder
On tip-toe and swinging from my pearls
Charlie, Charlie, you're the greatest thing since lemon barley
Even, in the parlour, he can do the donkey jig with father. Rather
Charlie Chaplin taught him how to walk like him, he turned the Chaplin walk into a dance
Now the world is caught in it, everywhere he′s scored a hit, even at Maxim′s in Paris France
Well, who's the King of Charleston? Go right out and ask′em
Anyone will tell you he's the One Two Three Four
Finest little dancer, never says he can′t, Sir
He will even Charleston upside down
Dancing on the ceiling, he's really quite appealing
Dusting chandeliers as he goes round, my Charlie
He gives me a tingle, I′m hoping while he's single, I will get a chance to be his girl
Dancing with the master makes my heart beat faster, he's really got me spinning in a whirl
′Cos he′s the tops, yes he's the King of Charleston for the world!