Fugue for Tinhorns
Original Broadway Cast Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got the horse right here
The name is Paul Revere
And here's a guy that says that the weather's clear
Can do, can do, this guy says the horse can do
If he says the horse can do, can do, can do.
(Benny starts singing his part at this time, while Nicely continues:)
If he says the horse can do - can do, can do.
(Rusty starts singing his part as the time, while Nicely and Benny continue:)
For Paul Revere I'll bite
I hear his foot's all right
Of course it all depends if it rained last night
Likes mud, likes mud, this X means the horse likes mud
If that means the horse likes mud, likes mud
Likes mud.
I tell you Paul Revere
Now this is no bum steer
It's from a handicapper that's real sincere
Can do, can do, this guy says the horse can do.
If he says the horse can do - can do - can do.
Paul Revere. I got the horse right here.
BENNY
I'm pickin' Valentine, 'cause on the morning line
A guy has got him figured at five to nine
Has chance, has chance, this guy says the horse has chance
If he says the horse has chance, has chance, has chance
I know it's Valentine, the morning work looks fine
Besides the jockey's brother's a friend of mine
Needs race, needs race, this guy says the horse needs race
If he says the horse needs race, needs race, needs race.
I go for Valentine, 'Cause on the morning line,
The guy has got him figured at five to nine
Has chance, has chance, this guy says the horse has chance
Valentine! I got the horse right here.
RUSTY CHARLIE
But look at Epitaph. he wins it by a half
According to this here in the Telegraph
"Big Threat" - "Big Threat"
This guy calls the horse "Big Threat"
If he calls the horse "Big Threat",
Big Threat, Big Threat.
And just a minute, boys.
I've got the feed box noise
It says the great-grandfather was Equipoise
Shows class, shows class.
This guy says the horse shows class
If he says the horse shows class
Shows class, show's class.
So make it Epitaph, he wins it by a half
According to this here in the Telegraph.
Epitaph! I got the hore right here!
The song "Fugue for Tinhorns" is from the musical "Guys and Dolls" and is sung by the characters Nicely, Benny, and Rusty Charlie. In the song, they are discussing their respective horse racing tips. Nicely's pick is Paul Revere, a horse whose name evokes American patriotism. He expresses confidence in the horse's ability, citing a "guy" who is knowledgeable about the sport. Benny chooses Valentine, citing favorable odds and a connection to the jockey's brother. Rusty Charlie chooses Epitaph, based on a newspaper article that calls the horse a "big threat" and its lineage that shows it comes from a line of horses with class.
The song is an example of a fugue, a musical composition technique that features melodies that repeat and overlap, creating a complex and harmonious overall sound. The characters' three separate melodies combine in harmony to create an energetic and upbeat tune that reflects their excitement for the horse race. The song is also an example of the working-class sensibility and vernacular of the characters in the musical, reflecting their experience and attitudes towards the world around them.
Line by Line Meaning
I got the horse right here
I have the winning horse
The name is Paul Revere
The horse's name is Paul Revere
And here's a guy that says that the weather's clear
Someone predicts clear weather for the race
Can do, can do, this guy says the horse can do
The horse has the ability to win
If he says the horse can do, can do, can do.
I believe in the guy's prediction
For Paul Revere I'll bite
I'll bet on Paul Revere
I hear his foot's all right
The horse has no injuries
Of course it all depends if it rained last night
The condition of the track depends on the weather
Likes mud, likes mud, this X means the horse likes mud
The horse is suited for a muddy track
If that means the horse likes mud, likes mud
Likes mud.
I trust the horse's preference for muddy tracks
Now this is no bum steer
The prediction is reliable
It's from a handicapper that's real sincere
The prediction comes from an honest expert
I'm pickin' Valentine, 'cause on the morning line
A guy has got him figured at five to nine
I'm betting on Valentine because an expert has predicted a good morning line for him
Has chance, has chance, this guy says the horse has chance
Valentine has a chance to win
If he says the horse has chance, has chance, has chance
I believe the expert's prediction
I know it's Valentine, the morning work looks fine
Besides the jockey's brother's a friend of mine
I have insider information that makes me confident in my bet on Valentine
Needs race, needs race, this guy says the horse needs race
Valentine needs more experience before he can reach his full potential
If he says the horse needs race, needs race, needs race.
I trust the expert's opinion on Valentine's readiness
But look at Epitaph. he wins it by a half
According to this here in the Telegraph
Epitaph is predicted to win according to the newspaper
"Big Threat" - "Big Threat"
This guy calls the horse "Big Threat"
The expert sees Epitaph as a major threat to the other horses
If he calls the horse "Big Threat",
Big Threat, Big Threat.
I believe in the expert's prediction of Epitaph's chances
I've got the feed box noise
It says the great-grandfather was Equipoise
I have insider information that Epitaph comes from a family of successful racehorses
Shows class, shows class.
This guy says the horse shows class
Epitaph displays the qualities needed to win
If he says the horse shows class
Shows class, shows class.
I believe in the expert's opinion of Epitaph's capabilities
So make it Epitaph, he wins it by a half
According to this here in the Telegraph.
I am betting on Epitaph to win based on expert predictions and insider information
Epitaph! I got the horse right here!
I am certain that Epitaph will win the race
Writer(s): Frank Loesser
Contributed by Juliana I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jude6913
I got the horse right here, the name is Paul Revere
And here's the guy that says that if all weather's clear
Can do, can do, this guy says the horse can do
If he says the horse can do, can do, can do
I picked the Valentine, 'cause on the Morning Line
The guy has got him figured at five to nine
But take the Epitaph, he went to buy a half
According to this here in the Telegraph
For Paul Revere I'll bite, I hear his foot's all right
Of course it all depends if it rained last night
I know it's Valentine, the morning works were fine
Besides, the jockey's brother is a friend of mine
And just a minute, boys, I got the feedback's choice
It says his great grandfather was Aqua Poise
I tell you Paul Revere, now this is no bum steer
It's from a handicap and that's real sincere
I go for Valentine 'cause on the Morning Line
The guy has got him figured at five to nine
So make it Epitaph, he went to buy a half
According to this here in the Telegraph
Epitaph, Valentine, Paul Revere
I got the horse right here
@caram740
[Justin]:
I got the horse right here
The name is Paul Revere
And he's the ghost of the horse that won last year
Ghost horse, ghost horse
There's no way to beat ghost horse
He flies through the air, of course
Ghost horse, ghost horse
Ghost horse, ghost horse
There's no way to beat ghost horse
His owner feels no remorse
Ghost horse, ghost horse
That Paul Revere just might
Give you a vampire bite
Of course it all depends if he feeds at night
Likes blood, likes blood
This vampire horse likes blood
Yes that means the horse likes blood
Likes blood, likes blood
I tell you Paul Revere
Now this is no bum steer
It's from a Yahoo answer that's real sincere
Ghost horse, ghost horse,
There's no way to beat ghost horse
He flies through the air, of course
Ghost horse, ghost horse
[Travis]:
I'm pickin' Valentine, 'cause on the morning line
A guy has got him figured at five to nine
Unless, unless
The horse wants to just run less
One hundred percent success
Unless, unless
It’s Valentine for sure, he’s a demonic blur
And he’s a deputized law en-horse-ment officer
Horse cop, horse cop
This horse is a real horse cop
If he says to stop, you stop.
Horse cop, horse cop
I go for Valentine, 'cause on the morning line
The horse has got his own horse that he keeps in line
Horse stack, horse stack
Two horses, a real horse stack
[Griffin]:
But look at Epitaph, he's not a horse by half
He's got no arms, legs, or face, and he makes me laugh
"Torsey" ,"Torsey"
His guy calls the horse "Torsey"
If he calls the horse "Torsey"
Torsey, Torsey
And just a minute, Sweets, he’s got the raps and beats
He wants a filly in the streets and a freak in the sheets
Horse ass, horse ass
This Torsey’s about horse ass
This Torsey, he’s got more sass
Horse ass, horse ass
So make it Epitaph, he’s not a horse by half
And he communicates by telepathic Telegraph
[Griffin]: Epitaph!
[Travis]: Valentine!
[Justin]: Paul Revere!
[All]: I got the horse right here!
@parkerv6
Rusty:
But look at Epitaph,
He wins it by a half,
According to this here in the Telegraph,
Big threat,
Big threat,
This guy calls the horse big threat.
If he calls the horse big threat,
Big threat
Big threat.
And just a minute boys,
I've got the feed box noise,
It says the great grandfather was Equipoise.
Shows class,
Shows class,
This guy says the horse shows class,
If he says the horse shows class,
Shows class,
Shows class.
So make it Epitaph,
He wins it by a half,
According to this here in the Telegraph.
Epitaph
I got the horse right here.
@NickC_222
And just a minute, Sweets, he’s got the raps and beats.
He wants a philly in the streets and a freak in the sheets.
Horse ass, horse ass.
This Torsey’s about horse ass.
This Torsey, he’s got more sass.
Horse ass, horse ass.
So make it Epitaph, he’s not a horse by half.
And he communicates by telepathic Telegraph.
Epitaph!
@michaelmorphew2346
For all the Nicely's who got to enjoy singing that high A, we are not forgotten.
@evidentlymak
Michael Morphew lol I play nicely but I'm a girl (I didnt care about what gender I got) this song is cool
@fabianwilder3886
I played Benny and I took the high A at the end. I love this show!
@Somefrickface
Ha! Highest I'm going is F!
@norieniridius
Fabian Wilder I was Benny and did the A as well, Nicely wouldn’t touch it with a ten foot pole lol
@RockShowAcademy
AMEN!
@scandalousblue
ghost horse, ghost horse, he flies through the air of course
@katie100katherine
cecil ! I’m taking epitaph, he’s not a horse by half, he’s got no arms, legs, or face and he makes me laugh
@A-Pa-s-Plainjane
pure delight- an example of how discordant voices can blend into something perfectly harmonious.
@mikeygreen8309
just performed as Nicely a few days ago but never really enjoyed it since I NEVER FOUND OUT WHO WON THAT RACE 😭😭😭