Banana Boat
(Oomba Oomba Oomba)
1954



Listen

Highlights
  • Betty Hutton recorded this song on March 10, 1954.
  • Included as part of the additional material on the unlicensed re-issue on CD of Betty Hutton At The Saints & Sinners Ball by Sepia Records in 2009. The song was not included on the original vinyl album.



Recording History
Betty Hutton, single, Capitol Records, F2776 orchestra conducted by Nelson Riddle
Betty Hutton, Betty Hutton At The Saints & Sinners Ball, Sepia Records, B002BIGD1O Unlicensed re-issue with additional material., 2009
Jay Livingston, demo
Lyrics
I see big white boat come in today, Si!
I go to boat and I say, Si!
Señor boat, amigo, when you float, amigo,
Float me to the U.S.A.!
 
Oomba, oomba, oomba, oom-ba-na-na boat,
Take me, take me to the U.S.A.
Oomba, oomba, oomba, oom-ba-na-na boat,
Things are not so cool in San Jose!
 
I will sell my chickens and my nanny goat,
Then I pay you what you say.
Señor boat, amigo, when you float, amigo,
Float  me to the U.S.A.
 
How many pesos to New York, Please?
You think they like me in New York, Please?
I have nice marracas [sic],
I shake my maracas [sic], maybe then they let me stay!
 
Oomba, oomba, oomba, oom-ba-na-na boat,
Take me, take me, take me far away
Oomba, oomba, oomba, oom-ba-na-na boat,
Things are not so cool in San Jose!
 
If I had a pen I’d write New York a note,
Friendly neighbor on his {her} way.
Señor boat, amigo, when you float, amigo,
Float me to the U.S.A.
 
Here ev’ry one sleepy head, Si!
Wake up and go back to bed, Si!
Go to sleep on Monday, they wakeup on Sunday,
Just in time to hit the hay!
 
Oomba, oomba, oomba, oom-ba-na-na boat,
Take me, take me to the U.S.A.
Oomba, oomba, oomba, oom-ba-na-na boat,
Things are not so cool in San Jose!
 
Please, mister boat, now we go, Si?
Please, mister boat, don’t say no! Si!
You make big commotion, soon you cross the ocean,
‘ey amigo, what you say?
 
Oomba, oomba, oomba, oom-ba-na-na boat,
Take me, take me to the U.S.A.
Oomba, oomba, oomba, oom-ba-na-na boat,
Things are not so cool in San Jose!
 
 
Extra Verses
 
Girl:
I got the figure to succeed, Si!
And what I got is guaranteed, Si!
When I want some lovin’
Ill be like an oven—
I have just what Yankee need!
They say that Yankee man is cold, si!
Act much to young or too old, Si!
But if I can reach ‘em, I know I can teach ‘em
What their teacher never told!
 
Boy:
Subway she zip thru New York, Si!
Make speedy trip thru New York, Si!
Here on my Mulito, I go see my Pablito—
And it take me half the day!
I bring fiesta to New York, Si!
I teach siesta to New York, Si!
And my red serape, Schiaparelli copy
Latest thing in U.S.A.!
 
BANANA BOAT (OOMBA-OOMBA-OOBA) recorded and featured by Betty Hutton on Capitol Records, music and words by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans. (Professional Version)