“Across the Alley from the Alamo”
“Across the alley from the Alamo
Lived a pinto pony and a Navajo
Who sang a sort of Indian “Hi-de-ho”
To the people passin’ by
The pinto spent his time a-swishin’ flies
And the Navajo watched the lazy skies
And very rarely did they ever cast their eyes
On the people passin’ by
One day they went a-walkin’
Along the railroad track
They were swhishin’ not looking
Toot! Toot!, they never came back
Oh, across the alley from the Alamo
When the summer sun decides to settle low
A fly sings an Indian “Hi-de- ho”
To the people passin” by
Across the alley from the Alamo
Lived a pinto pony and a Navajo
Who used to bake frijoles in cornmeal dough
For the people passin’ by
They thought that they would make some easy bucks
By washin’ their friloles in Dux and Lux,
A pair of very conscientious clucks
To the people passin’ by.
Then they took this cheap vacation,
Their shoes were polished bright
No, they never heard the whistle,
Toot! Toot!. they’re clear out of sight
Oh, across the alley from the Alamo
When the starlight beams it’s tender glow
The beams go to sleep and then there ain’t no dough
For the people passin’ by.
One day they went a-walkin’
Along the railroad track
They were swishin’ not lookin’
Toot! Toot!, they never came back
Oh, across the alley from the Alamo
When the summer sun decides to settle low
A fly sings an Indian “Hi- de- ho”
To the people passin’ by.” Composer, Joe Greene.
I believe that “Dux” and “Lux” were laundry soaps of the day.
There s a fine recording of this song by the Mills Brothers on
YouTube, with the most accurate rendition of the lyrics.
Islander.