#1 Song of 2020: Please, Ms Post Woman and Please, Mr Postman

"Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds" — Herodotus, Histories (8.98) (trans. A. D. Godley, 1924)

Ask Nicely, Joe and Donald!

Original Song:

Georgia Dobbins, William Garrett, Freddie Gorman, Brian Holland & Robert Bateman

August 21, 1961

The Marvelettes were one of the first groups signed by what later became Motown, five young women who went to high school in Inkster, Michigan. “Please Mr. Postman” was released the year the girls graduated, 1961 (my year too).

Song credits include one Marvelette and Brian Holland of later Motown fame. Marvin Gaye played the drums.

A Rewrite for 2020:

(Wait.) Oh yes, wait a minute, Mr. Postman
(Wait.) Wa-a-a-ait, Mr. Postman
Please Mr. Postman, look and see. (Oh yeah.)
Is there a ballot in your bag for me?

(Please Mr. Po-o-ostman.)
'Cause it's been a mighty long time (Whoa, yeah.)
Since I heard from that Biden of mine

There must be some word today
From my big guy who's so far away
Please Mr. Postman, look and see
Is there a ballot, a ballot for me
I've been standing here waiting, Mr. Postman
So-o, so patiently
For a vote or just a ballot saying it’s returning home to me

Please Ms. Post Woman
Please Ms. Post Woman, look and see. (Oh yeah.)
Is there a ballot in your bag for me?
(Please Ms. Po-o-ost Woman.)
'Cause it's been a mighty long time (Whoa, yeah.)
Since I heard from that Donald of mine

So many days, you've passed me by
You saw the tears standing in my eye
You wouldn't stop to make me feel better
By leaving me a vote or a ballot
Please Ms. Post Woman, look and see
Is there a ballot, oh yeah, in your bag for me
You know it's been so long, (Post Woman, Post Woman.)
Yeah, since I heard from that Donald of mine

You better wait a minute, wait a minute
(Wait, wait a minute, Mr. Postman.)
Whoa, you better wait a minute
(Wait, wait a minute, Ms. Post Woman.)
Please, please Mr. Postman. (Wait, wait a minute, Ms. Post Woman.)
Please check and see just one more time for me
You better wait, wait a minute. (Wait, wait a minute, Ms. Post Woman.)
Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute
(Wait, wait a minute, Mr. Postman.)
Please Mr. Postman. (Wait, wait a minute, Ms. Post Woman.)
Deliver the ballot the sooner I fill it
Wait a minute, wait a minute. (Wait, wait a minute, Mr. Postman.)
Wait a minute please, Ms. Post Woman, wait
(Wait, wait a minute, Mr. Postman.)
Wait a minute, wait a minute

Karaoke Backing:

Original Lyrics:

(Wait.) Oh yes, wait a minute, Mr. Postman
(Wait.) Wa-a-a-ait, Mr. Postman
Please Mr. Postman, look and see. (Oh yeah.)
Is there a letter in your bag for me?
(Please Mr. Po-o-ostman.)
'Cause it's been a mighty long time (Whoa, yeah.)
Since I heard from this boyfriend of mine

There must be some word today
From my boyfriend who's so far away
Please Mr. Postman, look and see
Is there a letter, a letter for me
I've been standing here waiting, Mr. Postman
So-o, so patiently
For a card or just a letter saying he's returning home to me

Please Mr. Postman
Please Mr. Postman, look and see. (Oh yeah.)
Is there a letter in your bag for me?
(Please Mr. Po-o-ostman.)
'Cause it's been a mighty long time (Whoa, yeah.)
Since I heard from this boyfriend of mine

So many days, you've passed me by
You saw the tears standing in my eye
You wouldn't stop to make me feel better
By leaving me a card or a letter
Please Mr. Postman, look and see
Is there a letter, oh yeah, in your bag for me
You know it's been so long, (Postman, postman.)
Yeah, since I heard from this boyfriend of mine

You better wait a minute, wait a minute
(Wait, wait a minute, Mr. Postman.)
Whoa, you better wait a minute
(Wait, wait a minute, Mr. Postman.)
Please, please Mr. Postman. (Wait, wait a minute, Mr. Postman.)
Please check and see just one more time for me
You better wait, wait a minute. (Wait, wait a minute, Mr. Postman.)
Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute
(Wait, wait a minute, Mr. Postman.)
Please Mr. Postman. (Wait, wait a minute, Mr. Postman.)
Deliver the letter, the sooner the better
Wait a minute, wait a minute. (Wait, wait a minute, Mr. Postman.)
Wait a minute please, Mr. Postman, wait
(Wait, wait a minute, Mr. Postman.)
Wait a minute, wait a minute