Down on the Mississippi River in a knocked-out dive

I met a trumpet-playing character and man alive

When he began to riff he really played it from the hip

And when I asked about his name they told me that's The Lip

Yip yip yip yip

No one plays high notes like The Lip

He's got a tone that's reminiscent of a boy named Bix

He plays so high that only dogs can hear him just for kicks

And when I ask him does he read he says

"I tell you hon, I read a little bit but not enough to hurt me none"

Yip yip yip yip

No one plays high notes like The Lip

I said The Lip

You must mean Ray Anthony, huh?

I said The Lip

No man, she means Harry James

I said The Lip

You mean Louis Prima

I said The Lip

No, Liberace

Yip yip yip yip

No one plays high notes like The Lip

I never heard a trumpet player play a note so high

I had to coax a lot before The Lip would tell me why

Then he took out a little jar that's labeled high note grease

And he rubs a little every night on his mouthpiece

Yip yip yip yip

No one plays high notes like The Lip

Listen here gal, are you kidding about all that high note grease?

No man, I swear he had ten in a big valise

Well you mean he goes to the drugstore

And gets 'em from the medicine shelf?

No, some cats told me he makes it himself

Yip yip yip yip

Tell us the secret of The Lip

Well you take a bucket full of steam and a dozen rooster eggs

You mix 'em up gently with a bushel full of goldfish legs

You hang 'em on a skyhook in the midnight sun

And then you fry 'em until they're done

Yip yip yip yip

That's the secret of The Lip