Goin' To Heaven On A Mule – Patter

Written for: Wonder Bar (1934)
Performer: Al Jolson & Chorus
Lyric: Al Dubin
Music: Harry Warren
Year: 1934
Original publisher: M. Witmark & Sons

Sheet music version:

Patter:

(St. Peter:) Here you is, in the heavenly land where the good folks go;
(Gabriel:) Come right in, hallelujah to you,
(Picks:) And a hi-de-ho!
(St. Peter:) Step right up, get a new pair of wings and a new halo.
(Al Jolson:) Thank you, suh, and my thanks to the Lawd.
(Picks:) And a hi-hi-de-hi, hi-de-ho!
(Jolson:) Oh, Saint Peter, is I goin' where the pork chops am a-growin' on the trees?
(Picks:) On the trees.
(Jolson:) Tell me, is I goin' where the watermelon vines are blowin' in the breeze?
(Picks:) In the breeze.
(St. Peter:) Yes, you is and the chickens are free 'cause they roam at large,
Help yourself to the fat of the land, and there ain't no cover charge.
(Jolson:) Look-a there,
There's an old friend of mine; why, it's Uncle Joe;
Hear him strum on his little banjo.
(Picks:) With a hi-hi-de-hi, hi-de-ho-o!
(Jolson:) Who's that there?
Why, it's old Uncle Tom that I used to know;
I'm so glad that he landed up here
(Picks:) With a hi-de-ho!
(Jolson:) All my life, I'se been a waitin' just to get away from Satan down below;
(Gabriel:) When you cast aside the debbil, you was purified and glorified-dee-ho.
(Jolson:) Seems like home from the things I've seen and the folks I've met.
(Gabriel:) Wait a while,
You'll have a reason to smile,
'Cause you ain't seen nothin' yet.

Movie version:

Patter:

(St. Peter:) Here you is, in the heavenly land where the good folks go;
(Gabriel:) Come right in, hallelujah to you,
(Kids:) And a hi-de-ho!
(St. Peter:) Step right up, get a new pair o' wings and a new halo.
(Al Jolson:) Thank you, suh, and my thanks to the Lawd.
(Kids:) And a hi-hi-de-hi, hi-de-ho!
And a hi-hi-de-hi, hi-de-ho!
(Jolson:) Oh, Saint Peter, is I goin' where the pork chops am a-growin' on the trees?
(Picks:) On the trees.
(Jolson:) Tell me, is I goin' where the watermelon vines am a-blowin' in the breeze?
(Picks:) In the breeze.
(St. Peter:) Yes, you is an' the chickens am free 'cause they roam at large,
Help yourself to the fat of the land, and there ain't no cover charge.
(Jolson:) Who's dat there?
That's a friend of mine, why, it's Old Black Joe;
Hear him play on his little banjo.
(Picks:) And a hi-hi-de-hi, hi-de-ho-o!
(Jolson:) Who's dat there?
Why, it's ol' Uncle Tom that I used to know;
I'm so glad that he landed up here with his cabin show.
Seems like home from the things I've seen and the folks I've met.
(Gabriel:) Wait a while,
You'll have a reason to smile,
'Cause you ain't seen nothin' yet.