The Last Great Waltz - Jackson Mann - Mason Williams - cover

Mason Williams better known for composing and playing Classical Gas, was writer for the Smothers Brothers, Glen Campbell Good Time Hour and Saturday Night Live.

It was released Nov 1968 on the Mason Williams Ear Show. Smothers Brothers recorded it as part of their Mom Always Liked You Best release August 1965.

It tells the story of Jonathon W. Astor (master dancing man [but most he loved to dance the waltz until the break of dawn) and a girl waltzing all alone Ive got three legs but Im in good health and the unusual result (she had 3 legs he had 2 and they were heard to say) in resplendent 5/4 time. I do not sing it exactly as posted below, and I do make a few mistakes, but you can get the general picture. Pigbone used to do this live with Doug Feaver playing the part of the woman, and Bruce Gibb playing the middle foot.

Jonathon W. Astor was a master dancing man
He danced the day he was born
His parents thought him grand
The tango and the samba, he did with great elan
But most he liked to dance the waltz
Until the break of dawn

I like to waltz, it has its faults
For there are some, dances for fancy
I like to waltz, simply because
It makes me feel, So da - an -cy

One day he got an invitation to a ballroom dance
And he decided to accept for he might get a chance
To dance with lovely ladies with perfume in their hair
Or even fat and ugly ones he really didn't care

But at the ball the same old story made his evening grim
He was a perfectionist and none would dance with him
So he thought he'd just go home and write an anguished poem
But on his way out he saw a girl dancing all alone

I like to waltz, it has its faults
Its not much fun unless danced by two
I wish I knew somebody who
Would waltz with me
I'm so blue, darn you

She was waltzing by herself there in the little nook
He quietly walked to where she was to get a better look
She was a little different, from either you or me
For she did not have two good legs, she had one, two, three

I like to waltz, I have my faults
I have three legs but I'm in good health
I like to waltz, mostly because
I have to dance, all by myself

First step right foot, then the mid foot
Then the left foot, then I repeat
Now make no mistakes, I've got what it takes
One, two three, pick, for waltzing is neat

Jonathon W. Astor asked her, "Would You like to dance?"
To which she answered .... "Yes"
So they began to waltz in a most peculiar way
She had three legs, he had two
And they were heard to say

We like to waltz, we have our faults
But we are happy for the first time
Though we are different, we took a chance
And found true love, in an elite romance.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Jackson Mann
• Mason
• Williams
• Smothers Brothers
• Come
• Dine
• WIth
• Me
• Canada
• PIGBONE
• Doug
• Feaver
• Bruce
• Gibb

[BloviatingGarbonzo]

Re: Lyrics. The Smothers Brothers sang "so he thought he'd just go home and turn the radio on," not "so he thought he'd just go home and write an English poem." Jonathan was looking for entertainment. This song appeared on the SB's album, Mom Always Liked You Best. I've never heard Mason Williams sing his own composition, though.

[skrivis52]

@BloviatingGarbonzo I first heard the version was from a best of SB in 1969 and I thought I remembered "write an anguished poem". I do find the Mason Williams version and had a cassette of it. The "riff" is done with a string section pizzicatto (if that is how you spell it). When Pigbone performed it live, the narrator and Johathon were done by Joe Cravat and the three legged girl by Doug Feaver. An illustration of the dance was performed by Joe on 1 and 3 & Bruce Gibb placing his leg thru on 2

[mcspikes1]

Please slow this up a bunch. This is a great number but not the way you're doing it. Thanks.

[skrivis52]

@mcspikes1 I know what you mean - in repetition performers know the song and the tendancy is to get on with it. Next time I get the camera out I will redo this with the fast parts slower. I do enunciate very well though at break neck speed. You should hear me race through I've been everywhere. Thanks for the comment though!!!!!!!

[mickerin64]

I'd like to hear Mason Williams and Jennifer; Warren's version of this. I used to have the record. Always loved it.

[mcspikes1]

Hi, Thanks for the response. I'm going to check out I've Been Everywhere.