Song lyrics to Ice Cold Katie – a number for Hattie McDaniel and an all-black cast, is about hasty marriages by people heading off to war, in the movie Thank Your Lucky Stars
Verse
HATTIE & COMPANY
Private Jones is campin’ on the doorstep of Miss Katie Brown.
She must be the very, very coldest creature in this town.
He’s been there for seven days and nights, and now he’s leavin’ too,
And still she won’t, still she won’t, still she won’t say “I do.”
Refrain
Ice Cold Katie, won’t you marry the soldier?
Ice Cold Katie, won’t you do it today?
Ice Cold Katie, whyn’t you marry that soldier?
Soon he’ll march away.
Ice Cold Katie, he’s just dyin’ to hold yer,
Keep that date he went a-hirin’ for.
Ice Cold Katie, won’t you marry the soldier?
Soon he’s off to war.
Here he is outside, ringin’, ringin’ ringin’ on your bell,
Ringin’ so long, he’s gonna be A-W-O-L.
Ice Cold Katie, won’t you do what I told yer?
Ice Cold Katie, you’s the talk of the town.
Ice Cold Katie, won’t you marry the soldier?
Melt, melt, melt on down,
Ice Cold Katie Brown.
Interlude
PREACHER
I was here at seven,
I was here at ten,
I was here at eleven,
And I positively won’t be back again.
Is the ring all ready?
Did the bride get sense?
Is the groom feelin’ steady
After all the matrimonial suspense?
Is the cake just dandy?
Is the choir in tune?
Is the beer handy?
The private might be leavin’ pretty soon.
CHORUS
Kate, Kate, Kate, Kate, Katie,
Won’t you step outside?
Ev’rything is ready but the bride!
Refrain
Ice Cold Katie, won’t you marry the soldier?
Ice Cold Katie, won’t you do it today?
Ice Cold Katie, whyn’t you marry that soldier?
Soon he’ll march away.
Ice Cold Katie, he’s just dyin’ to hold yer,
Ice Cold Katie, how he grumbles and groans!
Ice Cold Katie, won’t you marry the soldier?
SOLDIERS
Hey, hey, Private Jones!
Don’t you know we ain’t got no, got no, got no time to spare?
Don’t you know we’re all sailin’, sailin’, sailin’ over there?
ALL
Ice Cold Katie, won’t you do what I told yer?
Ice Cold Katie, ain’t got nothin’ to lose!
Ice Cold Katie, won’t you marry the soldier?
Looks like rice and shoes!
Spread, spread, spread the news!
Interlude
PREACHER
Do you take this woman?
Do you take this man?
Well, young man and young woman,
Better get a little lovin’ while you can.
I now pronounce you
Man and wife.
I never had such trouble in my life!
Coda
ALL
Don’t you know they ain’t got no, got no, got no time to spare?
Don’t you know they are sailin’, sailin’, sailin’ over there?
Ice Cold Katie went and married the soldier,
Ice Cold Katie with the shivery frown.
Ice Cold Katie went and married the soldier,
Ice Cold Katie Brown!