Putting on the Style
(originally written about bustles)

I V

Young man in a carriage, driving like he's mad,
with a pair of horses he's borrowed from his Dad.
He cracks the whip so lively just to see the ladies smile
but everybody knows he's only putting on the style.

chorus
Putting on the agony, putting on the style.
That's what all the young folks are doing all the while.
And as I look around me, I'm very apt to smile
to see so many people putting on the style.

Sweet sixteen she goes to church just to see the boys,
and she laughs and giggles at every little noise.
She turns this way a little, then she turns that way awhile
but everybody knows she's only putting on the style.

Preacher in the pulpit shouting with all his might.
Glory hallelujah, puts the people in a fright.
You might think that Satan's running up and down the aisle,
but it's only the preacher putting on the style.

Young man in a restaurant smokes a dirty pipe,
looking like a pumpkin that's only halfway ripe.
Smoking, drinking, chewing, and thinking all the while
that there's nothing equal to putting on the style.

See the young executive in his charcoal gray
talking to some union men who've come to have their say.
Sitting at his office desk and wearing a toothpaste smile,
that there's nothing equal to putting on the style.

Congressman from Washington looking mighty slick.
Wants to get elected and go back there right quick.
He beats his breast and hollers and waves the flag awhile,
but everybody knows he's onlyputting on the style.

Young man just from college make a big display
with a great big jawbreak that he can hardly say.
It can't be found in Webster's and won't be for awhile,
but everybody knows he's only putting on the style.

Doctor comes to see you, just to hold your hand
Feeds you pills and medicines and tells you you'll feel grand
And all the times he's talking, he wears a great big smile
Thinks he'll make a lot of money putting on the style

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