As recorded live with velma middleton 1949 (louis in parenthesis)

I really can't stay
(mama, it's cold outside)
I've got to go way
(I said, it's cold outside)
I wish I knew how
(tickled to death that you dropped in)
To break this spell
(you better break that spella-vo-tu)
My mother will start to worry
(mama, what's your hurry)
Father will be pacin' the floor
(he's gotta gohe's gotta go)
Really I'd better hurry
(please don't hurry)
Well maybe just a half a drink more
**(take some 'swiss kriss' while I pour)
The neighbors might think
(mama, it's bad out there)
Hey pops, what's in this drink
(ain't no fun to be had out there, you know)
This evenin' has been
( it is outta here)
So nice and fine
(take another drink-a-wineand
Maybe you'll change your mind)
I ought to say no, no, no, sir
(you don't have to call me sir)
At least I'm gonna say that I tried
(give it upgive it upgive it up)
I really can't stay
(and, don't hold out)
*both* ahh, but it's cold outside

(look-a there honeylook at that window thereyou can't go
Out there in all that bad weather take a lookyou lookin'
At the wrong window anywaythat's a bay window there
See the one that's in the middle thereyeah the one that's boarded
Upthat's an out house thereain't no usein you goin out there
In all that bad weathergettin' them two little skis all frosted up)
Yeah well pops, I didn't tell mama and papa where I was goin
(you did what)
In fact, I sneaked outta the house
(oh, velma, don't never do that to your mama and papastay here
Three more days then you go back home to your people there)
There's bound to be talk tommorow
(what about my sorrow)
At least there will be plenty implied
(yeah, you tellin' me)
I really can't stay
(an-bol-eh-do-as)
*both* ahh but it's cold outside

Hey pops, I'd really like to stick around
(yeah I wish you would)
But I live so fari live way over on the other side of townover in
The aristocratic partway over
(where would that be honey)
Over on jackson street
(she been in town two hours and she done found out where
Jackson street isyes indeed folks this is the place
You know where you can get two drinks for forty cents herethen you
Come outta the gate and fall flat-a-your facethat's what you do)
(yeah your shoes are looseyand let's get juicy)
*both* yeah, but it? s cold
(bah-da-da-dat) outside
(bah-ba-da-do-de-da-da-day)