At Your Service, Madame

Written for: Stars Over Broadway (1935)
Performer: James Melton, Jane Froman & Studio Chorus
Lyric: Al Dubin
Music: Harry Warren
Year: 1935
Original publisher: Harms, Inc.

Sheet music versions:

Male version:

Verse:

You know, Madame, it would be such a pleasure,
To wait on you, to serve you ev'ry day.
Because my work would seem like so much leisure,
Because my work would seem like so much play;
When you'd get in your car, I'd drive it
To some place private, far from the mob;
When we'd get back, a little snack I'd bring on,
Like filet mignon or squab;
Madame, you know I'm always at your service,
Yes, even though you don't give me the job;

Chorus:

I approach you, Madame,
Just as meek as a lamb,
Just to tell you I'm always
At your service, Madame;
I can scramble an egg,
I can open a clam,
And remember I'm always
At your service, Madame;
And it wouldn't be hard,
To be your bodyguard,
To protect you with my arms;
I'll be observant,
But as a servant,
I'd be too fervent
About your charms;
If you're lonely some night
And you know where I am,
Call me up and you'll find me
At your service, Madame.

Female version:

Verse:

You know, my dear, it would be such a pleasure,
To wait on you, to serve you ev'ry day.
Because my work would seem like so much leisure,
Because my work would seem like so much play;
When we'd get in your car, we'd drive it
To some place private, far from the mob;
When we'd get back, a little snack I'd bring on,
Like filet mignon or squab;
My dear, you know I'm always at your service,
Yes, even though you don't give me the job;

Chorus 1:

I approach you, my love,
Just as shy as a dove,
Just to tell you I'm always
At your service, my love;
I can scramble an egg,
Give a swell manicure,
And remember I'm always
At your service, Monsieur;
I'll obey ev'ry wish,
And I won't drop a dish,
I will never make you cross;
I'll be observant,
But as a servant,
I'll be too fervent
About the boss.
If you're lonely some night
And you want someone near,
Call me up and you'll find me
At your service, my dear.

Chorus 2:

Let me fill up your pipe
And the paper is here;
Just remember I'm always
At your service, my dear.
Let me mix you a drink,
Let me pour you a beer;
Oh, I love to be always
At your service, my dear.
I'd be more than a wife,
My ambition in life
Is to wait on you like this;
What can I bring, dear,
Name anything, dear,
From stars and moonlight,
Down to a kiss.
You seem happiest when
Little babies are near.
Is it children you long for?
At your service, my dear.

Movie version:

Chorus 1:

(Male chorus:) I approach you, Madame,
Just as meek as a lamb,
Just to tell you I'm always
At your service, Madame;
I can scramble an egg,
I can open a clam,
And remember I'm always
At your service, Madame;
And it wouldn't be hard,
To be your bodyguard,
To protect you with my arms;
I'll be observant,
But as a servant,
I'll be too fervent
About your charms;
If you're lonely some night
And you know where I am,
Call me up and you'll find me
At your service, Madame.

Chorus 2:

(Jane Froman:) Do you know how to serve?
(Man, spoken:) Oh, oui, oui!
(Froman:) Could you bake me a ham?
(Man, spoken:) Si, si!
(Froman:) Could you mix me a cocktail?
(Man, spoken:) Rather!
(James Melton, spoken:) At your service, Madame.
(Froman:) Can you devil a bram?
Can you open a slam?
(Man, spoken:) Yes, ma'am!
(Froman:) Do you mind working late nights?
(Melton, spoken:) At your service, Madame.
(Froman:) When I need a shampoo,
Will you know what to do
If my maid should not be free?
And if I take you,
I'd like to make you
A sort-of escort.
(Melton, spoken:) O-kay with me!
(Froman:) When I'm having a guest,
Do you know when to scram?
(Man, spoken:) Yes, ma'am!
(Froman:) And if my guest disappoints me.
(Melton, spoken:) I'm at your service, Madame.

Verse:

(Melton, sung:) You know, Madame, it would be such a pleasure,
To wait on you, to serve you ev'ry day.
Because my work would seem like so much leisure,
Because my work would seem like so much play;
When you'd get in your car, I'd drive it
To some place private, far from the mob;
When we'd get back, a little snack I'd bring on,
Like filet mignon or squab;
Madame, you know I'm always at your service,
Yes, even though you don't give me the job;

Chorus 3:

(Melton:) I approach you, Madame,
Just as meek as a lamb,
Just to tell you I'm always
At your service, Madame;
I can scramble an egg,
I can open a clam,
And remember I'm always
At your service, Madame;
And it wouldn't be hard,
To be your bodyguard,
To protect you with my arms;
I'll be observant,
But as a servant,
I'll be too fervent
About your charms;
If you're lonely some night
And you know where I am,
If you phone me, you'll find me
At your service, Madame.

Interlude:

(Melton:) At your service, monsieur.
At your service, Madame.
At your service, Madame.
At your service, Madame.

Chorus 4:

(Froman:) Let me bring you your pipe
And the paper is here;
Just remember I'm always
At your service, my dear.
Let me mix you a drink,
Let me pour you a beer;
Oh, I love to be always
At your service, my dear.
I am more than a wife,
My ambition in life
Is to wait on you like this;
What can I bring, dear,
Name anything, dear,
From stars and moonlight,
Down to a kiss.
You seem happiest when
Many babies are near.
(Melton, spoken:) Why yes, it's children I long for.
(Froman:) At your service, my dear.

Partial chorus 5:

(Froman:) Have you both had your milk?
(Kids, spoken:) Yes, mom.
(Melton:) And your bread and your jam?
(Kids, spoken:) Yes, pa.
(Froman:) Will you put them to bed, John?
(Sam Ash, spoken:) At your service, Madame!