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 (CD)
also available on the album
Elmo Says Boo! (CD), and on Video and DVD
also available on
Silly Songs (CD) or Cassette
and on the video
Sesame Street's 25th Birthday and DVD
also available on the 3-CD Box Set
Songs From The Street: 35 Years Of Music