The Maxes: Music/Lyrics

• MP3 short clip, hi-fi play (broadband)
• MP3 short clip, lo-fi play (modem)

This song was written by Al Goodhart, Maurice Sigler and my Great Uncle Al Hoffman; big hit in England as recorded by Jack Buchanan.

It was written for the 1935 English musical comedy film "Come Out of the Pantry". A guy named John Baldrey also recorded it in the early 70s, and thought enough of the tune to name his album "Everything Stops For Tea."

Every nation in creation has its favourite drink
France is famous for its wine, it's beer in Germany
Turkey has its coffee and they serve it blacker than ink
Russians go for vodka, and England---

Loves its tea!

Oh, the factories may be roaring
With the boom-a-lack-a zoom-a-lack-wee
But there isn't any roar
When the clock strikes four
Everything stops for tea

Oh, a lawyer in a courtroom
In the middle of an alimony plea
Has to stop and help 'em pour
When the clock strikes four
Everything stops for tea

It's a very good English custom
Though the weather be cold or hot
When you need a little pickup
You'll find a little teacup
Will always hit the spot

You remember Cleopatra
Had a date to meet Mark Antony at three
When he came an hour late
She said "You'll have to wait---
Everything stops for tea."

Oh, they may be playing football
And the crowd is yelling "Kill the referee!"
But no matter what the score
When the clock strikes four
Everything stops for tea

Oh, the golfer may be golfing
And is just about to make a hole-in-three
But it always gets him sore
When the clock strikes four
Everything stops for tea

It's a very good English custom
And a stimulant for the brain
When you feel a little weary
A cup'll make you cheery
And it's cheaper than champagne

Now I know just why Franz Schubert
Didn't finish his unfinished symphony
He might have written more
But the clock struck 4
And everything stops for tea.