https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/3530822107859233639/

The lyrics tell the story of Joe, who had recently seen his partner dead in the hospital from an illness. He goes to the bar to drink his sorrows away, realizing that he may be die from the same illness soon. Joe begins making funeral arrangements with his lowlife buddies, asking to be dressed in his nicest clothes and for his closest friends to cause a big ruckus in his procession.

Here's a side-by-side of Cab Calloway and the rotoscoped animation. https://youtu.be/_M7S2tjZG_A He was so great. His last performance was in *The Blues Brothers" when he was quite old.