Intro
verse 1
E
I was sitting in a diner with a girl named Flo
A
She wouldn't say yes, but she couldn't say no
E B7 E
She said, "Darling, can I get a middle man?"
E
She was engaged to a fellow on the lay-a-way plan
A
But she carried all her money in a coffee can
E B7 E
She said, "Darling, can I get a middle man?"
Bridge
A
The cook looked over with a short order face
E
Dropped a fork and he saw Flo's legs
A
Straightened his apron and burned my eggs
B7
I got competition everywhere I go these days
verse 2
E
Leaning on the juke box lookin' real good
A
Like Natalie Wood on a Pontiac hood
E B7 E
I said, "Darling, I think I need a little hand.
E
Ya see, I've seen my downs, I've seen my ups
A
I seen miniature dogs in coffee cups
E B7 E
But darling I ain't never seen a middle man."
Bridge
A
Flo talked slow like real wet paint
E
She said, "A middle man's there when the other ones ain't
A
He's got a left handed manner that leans to the right
B7
Sleeps all day and keeps it up all night"
verse 3
E
I got an aunt in Ohio and a boat that won't row
A
Some veterans insurance and nowhere to go
E B7 E
"Darling, can I be your middle man?"
Bridge
A
If I could get the money in that coffee can
E
I could open me up a lemonade stand
A
Send all the kids off to Pakistan
B7
Make Flo happy if I can
Instrumental
A E
A B7
verse 4
E
Jerry Mahoney and Johnny B. Goode
A
Are gonna buy me a house in Hollywood
E B7 E
Darling, I think I got the perfect plan
E
We're gonna save half a dollars and sell 'em to France
A
Buy us a record and learn how to dance
E B7
And darling, I'll always be your middle
E B7
Darling, go buy a griddle
E B7 E
Darling, I wanna be your middle man