Prime Artist:              Unknown
Lyrics by:                 B.G. DeSylva  (aka 'Buddy', aka, 'George Gard DeSylva')
Lyrics by:                 Arthur Francis (pseudonym for Ira Gershwin)

Lyrics by:                 Ira Gershwin     (b. Israel Gershvin)
Music by:                  George Gershwin     (b. Jacob Gershvin)
From the Show:             George White's Scandals of 1922 (S)

Lyrics:
Verse

All you preachers
Who delight in panning the dancing teachers,
Let me tell you there are a lot of features
Of the dance that carry you through
The Gates of Heaven

It's madness
To be always sitting around in sadness,
When you could be learning the Steps of Gladness.
(You'll be happy when you can do
Just six or seven.)

Begin today.  You'll find it nice:
The quickest way to Paradise.
When you practice,
Here's the thing to do-*
Simply say as you go:

Refrain

I'll build a Stairway to Paradise,
With a new Step ev'ry day.
I'm going to get there at any price;
Stand aside, I'm on my way!
I got the blues,
And up above it's so fair;
Shoes,
Go on and carry me there!
I'll build a Stairway to Paradise
With a new Step ev'ry day.

*In Lyrics On Several Occasions, changed to:
Here's the thing to know-
________________________________________________________________
[Note:  There was a patter attached to "Stairway," which were added some days
later.  It was a week's Dance Diet.  ]

Patter

On Monday-happy as a lark,
You'll be getting started
When you learn to Toe the Mark.

[Demonstrate step] That's Toe the Mark.

On Tuesday-then you ought to show
Both your little Regals
How to do the Heel and Toe.

[Demonstrate step]  That's Heel and Toe.

On Wednesday-walk around the block
And at ev'ry corner stop and do the Eagle Rock.

[Demonstrate step]  That's the Eagle Rock.

On Thursday-whistle as you go
On a little journey with the Off to Buffalo.

[Demonstrate step]  Off to Buffalo.

On Friday-take a little stroll
Up and down the beach
And learn the Oceana Roll.

[Demonstrate step]  Oceana Roll.

On Saturday-then you let 'er go.
All your troubles vanish
When you do the Toadalo.

[Demonstrate step]  That's the Toadalo.

On Sunday-I will guarantee
Happiness will claim you
If you will do the Shivaree.

[Demonstrate step]  That's the Shivaree.

So people-Follow my advice
Learn a step a day and you will get to Pardise.