The Sausage King of Chicago

Abe Froman’s personal blog.
The true story on how a humble sausage magnate got tangled up in the well-loved Hollywood movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
Find out about the man behind the legend.

I recall, Central Park in fall. How you tore your dress, what a mess, I confess. That’s not all.

Those are some of the memorable lines from lady-voiced crooner, Wayne Newton’s version of Danke Schoen.
The original lyrics to this song were penned by yours truly back in 1961. The setting for the song was not Central Park, but of course Lincoln Park.
The words describe how I first met Mrs Froman, over the family sausage counter, and how I later got rather drunk in the park on some cheap sparkling wine and somewhat disgraced myself.

My original lyrics went as follows:

Danke schoen, darling, danke schoen
Thank you for, entering my domain
Say hello, pretty bay-uh-bee, like to taste my meat?
So good to eat, my sausage treat, just can’t be beat

Danke schoen, darling, danke schoen
Your lovely thighs, they drove me insane
I recall Lincoln Park in fall
Against you I did press, I felt your chest, I confess
That’s not all

Danke schoen, darling, danke schoen
We were drunk upon some cheap champagne
Made me pee, stood behind a tree
Later I upchucked, a long trail of slime
Did taste like brine, with a bit of swine

Danke schoen, darling, danke schoen
Thank you for puttin’ me on the train
Though we went upon our separate ways
Still the memory stays, for always
My heart says, “Danke schoen”

Danke schoen, oh darling, danke schoen
I said, thank you for puttin me on the train
Though we went on our separate ways
Still the memory stays, for always
My heart says, “Danke schoen”

Danke schoen
Auf wiedersehen
Danke schoen

Imagine my surprise when my song not only proved to be a smash hit for Mr Newton, but then also ended up featuring in the movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off!

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