The Batty Bat

Written by Joe Raposo
sung by The Count (Jerry Nelson), of course

not quite complete

[Scene: A room in the Count’s castle]

Count: In old Transylvania, when I was a lad
Our castle was poor, but we never were sad
We learned to be happy!
We’d dance ‘round the hall
And learning to count was the key to it all
By counting each count, I knew just where to start
And one special step has stayed close to my heart

[He begins to waltz about the room.]

One, two, three, spread out the cape
One, two, three, twirl ‘round the floor
One, two, three, left foot you swing
One, two, three, then start to sing
One, two, three, loud as you please!
One, two, three, counting with ease!
One, two, three, doing the batty bat!

Bats: Batty, batty bat; batty bat; batty bat; batty bat!

Count: One, two, three, count!

Bats: Batty, batty bat; batty bat; batty bat; batty bat!

Count: One, two, three, count!

Bats: Batty, batty bat; batty bat; batty bat; batty bat!

Count: One, two, three, count!
Won’t you dance with me, doing the batty bat?

[speaking]

Ah, my happy childhood in the Carpathian mountains! How well I remember!

[singing]

So now, in my own castle, I can enjoy
This wonderful dance that I learned as a boy
I see just how wise was my whole family
They taught me to count, and so now look at me!
I’m counting and dancing, and I swear that it’s true ...
If you do the same, you will be happy, too!

[speaking]

Come! We try again!

[He resumes waltzing and singing]

One, two, three, spread out the cape
One, two, three, twirl ‘round the floor
One, two, three, left foot you swing
One, two, three, then start to sing
One, two, three, loud as you please!
One, two, three, counting with ease!
One, two, three, doing the batty bat!

Bats: Batty, batty bat; batty bat; batty bat; batty bat!

Count: One, two, three, count!

Bats: Batty, batty bat; batty bat; batty bat; batty bat!

Count: One, two, three, count!

Bats: Batty, batty bat; batty bat; batty bat; batty bat!

Count: One, two, three, count!
Won’t you dance with me, doing the batty bat?

[He says some lines I don’t recall as the music and the bats continue.]

[singing]

Won’t you dance with me, doing the batty bat?
Batty bat!
Ha ha!

[The usual thunder and lightning follow as he laughs.]

Transcribed by Andrea Sunderland and Silvery Shoe


available on the album

The Count's Countdown

The Count's Countdown (CD)


also available on the album

Elmo Says Boo!

Elmo Says Boo! (CD)
, and on Video and DVD

also available on

Silly Songs

Silly Songs (CD)
or Cassette

and on the video

Sesame Steet's 25th Birthday

Sesame Street's 25th Birthday
and DVD

also available on the 3-CD Box Set

Songs From The Street: 35 Years Of Music

Songs From The Street: 35 Years Of Music