I'm Getting Corns for My Country
The Andrews Sisters Lyrics


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I'm gettin' corns for my country
At the Hollywood Canteen
The hardest workin' junior hostess
You've ever seen
I'm doin' my bit down here for Uncle Sam
I'm a patriotic jitterbug
Yeah, yeah, that's what I am
I'm gettin' corns for my country, you should see the pounds fly
I'm gettin' down the waistline and I don't even try
I don't need a Duberry or a Westmore course
'Cause my weight's been taken over by the Army Air Force

We're not petite as sweet Joan Leslie, but then we never mind
When those GI's knock the South, we're glad that we're the healthy kind
The way those cowboys from the prairie expect us to sashay
I think I'd rather two step with their horses any day

We're gettin' corns for our country though the goin' is tough
When we think we can't go on, we find we can't get enough
So if you hear of a soldier, sailor or marine
Tell him to look us up at the Hollywood Canteen

I used to be aesthetic, they say, oh yes I was, really I was
I served the drama, arts and the ballet
But the theatre guild came over and said, forget about Pavlova
Learn to cut a rug, so now we're jitterbugs

I'm gettin' corns for my country, so I'm really all in
In a week from now we'll be here with our usual vim




So if you hail from the Bronx, Des Moines or Aberdeen
Come down and ask for us at the Hollywood Canteen

Overall Meaning

The Andrews Sisters' song "I'm Getting Corns for My Country" is a lively, patriotic tune that speaks of the female war effort and the Hollywood Canteen during World War II. The Hollywood Canteen was a famous club in Hollywood, California, that was set up to entertain soldiers during World War II. The song features several references to war effort and patriotism, as well as the physical toll that comes with dancing for hours on end.


The opening lines of the song, "I'm gettin' corns for my country at the Hollywood Canteen," speak to the hard work and dedication of the women who worked at the Canteen. The song praises the work of the junior hostesses, who were responsible for dancing with the soldiers, serving refreshments, and providing entertainment. The line "I'm a patriotic jitterbug, yeah, yeah, that's what I am" speaks to the sense of duty that these women felt toward their country during wartime.


The song also touches upon the physical toll that the long hours of dancing took on the women's bodies. The line "You should see the pounds fly" speaks to the weight loss that these women experienced, while the reference to "getting corns" speaks to the pain and discomfort that came with dancing for hours on end. Despite these challenges, the women were determined to do their part for the war effort and to support the soldiers who were fighting overseas.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm gettin' corns for my country
I'm enduring discomfort for the sake of my country


At the Hollywood Canteen
At a popular spot for entertainment and relaxation


The hardest workin' junior hostess
I'm putting in a lot of effort as a young hostess


You've ever seen
That anyone has ever seen


I'm doin' my bit down here for Uncle Sam
I'm doing my part for the United States


I'm a patriotic jitterbug
I'm a lover of swing music and a proud American


Yeah, yeah, that's what I am
That's the kind of person I am, no doubt about it


We're not petite as sweet Joan Leslie, but then we never mind
We may not be as small as a Hollywood actress, but we don't care


When those GI's knock the South, we're glad that we're the healthy kind
When soldiers from the southern United States insult us, we're happy to be physically strong


The way those cowboys from the prairie expect us to sashay
The manner in which western men anticipate us to dance


I think I'd rather two step with their horses any day
I'd prefer to dance with their horses rather than with them


We're gettin' corns for our country though the goin' is tough
We're experiencing hardship while working for our country


When we think we can't go on, we find we can't get enough
When we believe we've reached our limit, we discover that we still have more to give


So if you hear of a soldier, sailor or marine
If you know any military personnel


Tell him to look us up at the Hollywood Canteen
Advise them to visit the Hollywood Canteen


I used to be aesthetic, they say, oh yes I was, really I was
I was once into beauty and the arts, or so I'm told


I served the drama, arts and the ballet
I worked in theater, arts, and ballet


But the theatre guild came over and said, forget about Pavlova
But the theater guild told me to stop focusing on classical ballet


Learn to cut a rug, so now we're jitterbugs
Learn to dance swing style, and now we love it


I'm gettin' corns for my country, so I'm really all in
I'm committed to my country, even if it causes pain


In a week from now we'll be here with our usual vim
As usual, we'll be here with our typical enthusiasm


So if you hail from the Bronx, Des Moines or Aberdeen
If you're from any of these cities


Come down and ask for us at the Hollywood Canteen
Visit the Hollywood Canteen and look for us




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DICK CHARLES, JEAN BARRY, LEAH WORTH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@vlopes3000

I'm gettin' corns for my country
At the Hollywood Canteen
The hardest workin' junior hostess
You've ever seen
I'm doin' my bit down here for Uncle Sam
I'm a patriotic jitterbug
Yeah, yeah, that's what I am
I'm gettin' corns for my country, you should see the pounds fly
I'm gettin' down the waistline and I don't even try
I don't need a Duberry or a Westmore course
'Cause my weight's been taken over by the Army Air Force
We're not petite as sweet Joan Leslie, but then we never mind
When those GI's knock the South, we're glad that we're the healthy kind
The way those cowboys from the prairie expect us to sashay
I think I'd rather two step with their horses any day
We're gettin' corns for our country though the goin' is tough
When we think we can't go on, we find we can't get enough
So if you hear of a soldier, sailor or marine
Tell him to look us up at the Hollywood Canteen
I used to be aesthetic, they say, oh yes I was, really I was
I served the drama, arts and the ballet
But the theatre guild came over and said, forget about Pavlova
Learn to cut a rug, so now we're jitterbugs
I'm gettin' corns for my country, so I'm really all in
In a week from now we'll be here with our usual vim
So if you hail from the Bronx, Des Moines or Aberdeen
Come down and ask for us at the Hollywood Canteen



All comments from YouTube:

@tomsmith7742

The first, and best, girl group of all time.

@monicabella7894

@@jgrawn Boswell who?!

@MattS3NTM

@@monicabella7894 the boswell sisters were an act of sister blues singers from the 30s. A lot of people like to say the andrews girls copied their act, in actuality they started as a mimic act, but quickly became a pioneer group of jump blues and completely became stars in their own right.

@jane2543

The first? Not really, the best? Maybe

@MrJosealfonsoperez

Patty was very expressive, I love it

@brokenacoustic

"When we think we cant go on, we find we cant get enough" What a great line!

@makeievka

They are amazing, they way they sing and dance.. Patty is lovely and so expressive. That's what I call having a real talent <3

@ew1usnr

I love the Andrews Sisters.

@tonyruiz2390

Kicking back at my grandparents house changing the channel around and found this on TV told my grandmother Good times my Grandfather remembers he served in WW2 in the Pacific he still a Marine

@hockeyrd99

Wow! The effort that must have gone into such a production! Great camera angles, sound is clear, and all the sisters look great in the movie.

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