The Boarding House
©J. D. Carroll
Creative Ventures Music

 			     
Mrs. Mallard ran a boarding house down by the Lake Shore Drive.
			        
She’d reserve a place on the porch as soon as you’d arrive.
                                                           
She never asked where you were going, or where you went
                                     
just as long as by Friday evening, you’d pay the rent.

The house was old and sentimental, gingerbread, off-white.
                                                        
The third floor ceiling paint was peeling and the doors didn’t close real tight.
                                                          
But there always was a fire burning and all the time heads were turning
                              
when Natalie, Sweet Natalie, entered.

                         
Mr. Mallard passed away several years ago.
                                                         
He had a sickness that stole his quickness, but he never let anyone know.
                                             
Mrs. M. used to condemn him, he had a flask to befriend him,
                                           
and together they spent their evenings laughing.  	

Ho-Ho-Ho

                                       
Now, if you ever take a room in the house by the Lake Shore Drive,
                                        
just a few words should be heard to help you survive.
                                               
There’s no smoking in the beds, six o’clock you’ll be fed,
                                                  
and one more thing, if you’re a boarder, you ought to not talk to her 
                                                 
daughter..  .  
Sweet Natalie
		©J.D. Carroll 
		Creative Ventures Music
                                               
Well, she was sweet (sweet),   sweet, (sweet),    sweet Natalie                      

         She kissed the boys and treats them all  bad-a-ly.

Sweet (sweet), 	sweet (sweet),     sweet Natalie   Mallard!
 
  She’s coy, oh boy, she employs
                      
	those moves, big blues, but to you she’s just
                                                                                       
			sweet (sweet),  sweet (sweet),      Sweet Natalie   Mallard!

       

                        
		She went to school just to learn how to walk.
                       
		She went to school just to learn how to talk.
                        
		Now she’s back, she’s painted and tan
                                                           
		and she knows every rule about	getting a man.

  She’s sweet (sweet),	sweet (sweet),	 Sweet Natalie.
 
       She kissed the boys and she drives them all mad-a-ly,
                                                     
sweet (sweet),     sweet (sweet), Sweet Natalie     Mallard!

 
She’s lined, shined, quite refined.
            
	She’s mean, she’s clean, sometimes obscene.
                                                                                            
			She’s sweet (sweet), sweet (sweet), Sweet Natalie       Mallard!

             
                         
		One day a man came into her life.
                       
		He asked if she would be his wife.
                        
		She just laughed and turned away.
                                            
	She said,” I’ll think about that         some other day.”

‘Cause she’s sweet (sweet), sweet (sweet), Sweet Natalie.
 
She kissed the boys and she treats them all 	bad-a-ly.
                                                      
She's sweet (sweet), sweet (sweet), Sweet Natalie    Mallard ! !