[1st VERSE:] Tonight I'm dreaming of Araby That's where my dreams seem to carry me Where ev'rything is Oriental And ev'ryone is sentimental There in the shade of the shelt'ring palms I met a maiden fair I long to hold her gently in my arms Oh, how I wish I was there [REFRAIN:] Araby, when shades of night appear I seem to hear you calling Araby, you seem to beckon and I reckon I'll be hurrying back again Seems to me A maiden's face appears I see her tears are falling Falling because I left her there That's why I long to be Where all those happy faces Wait for me Beside the fair oasis Soon, you'll see Within a caravan An Arab man will take me Over the desert back to Araby [2nd VERSE:] Someday you'll find me in Araby Where someone's waiting to marry me I can't forget the day we parted She said I left her broken hearted I helped her on to a camel's back Before she rode away She made me promise that I would come back I'll keep my promise someday
[1st VERSE:] Old man Rosenthal lay sick in bed Soon the doctor came around and said "No use crying, the man is dying. He can't live very long!" "Send my son here to my side," they heard the old man say "I've got something to tell him before I pass away" Soon his son was sitting by his bed "What's the matter, Papa dear?" he said The old man said, "My son, before my days are done I want you to know: [REFRAIN:] Cohen owes me ninety-seven dollars And it's up to you to see that Cohen pays I sold a lot of goods to Rosenstein and Sons On an I.O.U. for ninety days Levi brothers don't get any credit They owe me for one hundred yards of lace If you promise me, my son, you'll collect from ev'ry one I can die with a smile on my face" [2nd VERSE:] Old man Rosenthal is better now He just simply wouldn't die somehow He is healthy and very wealthy since he got out of bed Such a change you never saw, he's got such rosy cheeks He picks up in just one week what should take weeks and weeks Ev'ryone who knew that he was sick Couldn't tell how he got well so quick They went and asked him to explain how he pulled through Rosenthal replied: [2nd REFRAIN:] Cohen owed me ninety-seven dollars And my son went out and made poor Cohen pay A bill was owed to me by Rosenstein and Sons And they settled on that very day What could my son do with all that money If I should leave it all and say goodbye? It's all right to pass away, but when people start to pay That's no time for a bus'nessman to die
[1st VERSE:] I don't go out nights I'm not about nights I'll tell you why I never roam I love my home, so cozy The dizzy night life may be the right life But I don't like that kind of fun At night when my work is done [REFRAIN:] I just love to stay at home in the evening When the winter nights are cold I love to sit around the fire harmonizing "Darling, I am growing old" While Mother darns my father's woolen hosiery He's telling yarns of how he fought in "sixty-three" I don't envy the cocktail sippers Give me my carpet slippers For I love to stay at home [2nd VERSE:] My cousin Mary She's a canary Each night she sings the Rosary It sounds to me like Melba When Uncle Louie who looks like Dewey Recites "The picture on the wall" It's simply Heaven, that's all
[1st VERSE:] Down into town with a grip on his arm Boob, Mister Rube landed in from the farm He came to see if the farmer was right who said "This is the life" Soon like a loon, he was dancing about One week of fun had him all tired out They asked him what he thought of the city And they heard old Reuben shout [REFRAIN:] Dancing around till the break of the day Never was meant for a Reuben or a Jay I've seen it all and I'm ready to say I'm going back to the farm Cabaret life is an awful disgrace I've checked my hat till I'm blue in the face I've handed out a fortune for a Prince Albert and an old Fedora I love the cows and chickens The chickens you love to eat Not those you have to treat I'm going back to the farm [2nd VERSE:] Si said goodbye for he couldn't remain Thought that he ought to be taking a train Glad that he had just enough for a ticket to Take him back home When home again all the neighbors appeared Ate until late, when the table was cleared He told them what he thought of the city As he gently milked his beard [2nd REFRAIN:] Dancing around till the break of the day Never was meant for a Reuben or a Jay I've seen it all and I'm ready to say I'm going back to the farm Cabaret life is an awful disgrace I've checked my hat till I'm blue in the face I went to wash my hands with water I had to give the boy a quarter What good are Broadway chickens With beautiful fancy legs 'Less they can lay some eggs I'm going back to the farm
[1st VERSE:] In Honolulu, far away A maiden who could not be gay Is feeling so much better Since she received a letter From her Hawaiian lover came A little tender note She's so excited and so delighted For this is what he wrote [REFRAIN:] Wait for me My Honolulu girl My hula-hula girl I'm coming back to you That sunny sky land Hawaiian Island Will soon be my land I hear a Ukalele strumming gaily In my dreams You seem to say to me Come back and play to me That melody oh, so nice! So if you love me still My things I'll pack again Then I'll be coming back again To you, my Bird of Paradise [2nd VERSE:] In Honolulu, by the sea A maiden's waiting patiently And as a ship goes past her Her little heart beats faster He'll soon be landing at the pier She's waiting for the boat He won't forget her for in his letter Her sweet Hawaiian wrote
[1st VERSE:] "What's the matter? What's the matter?" shouted Farmer Brown As he saw a crowd of people rushing thro' the town "Is the town on fire or has someone met their death?" One old Rube looked up at him and cried all out of breath [1st REFRAIN:] Si's been drinking cider and he's acting like a fool Take his wife and hide her for he's liable to treat her cru'l He's acting mighty gay, he gave his Ingersoll away Oh! oh! oh! oh! What will the neighbors say? He told a naughty story to the Parson in the hall Parson knew the answer so he didn't laugh at all The constable and sheriff have locked him in the barn But Si's been drinking cider So he don't give a good gosh darn [2nd VERSE:] Hiram Perkins heard the news and my but he was vexed Mumbled to himself "I wonder what will happen next?" Told his wife that right before she rang the dinner bell "No use talking, Mary Jane, the country's gone to hell" [2nd REFRAIN:] Si's been drinking cider and he's acting like a fool Take his wife and hide her for he's liable to treat her cru'l He's acting mighty gay, he gave his Ingersoll away Oh! oh! oh! oh! What will the neighbors say? He told an untrue story of a chicken with one leg Drinking boiling water and it laid a hard-boiled egg The sheriff won't believe it, he claims that it's a yarn But Si's been drinking cider And he don't give a good gosh darn
[1st VERSE:] There's a land where hearts are aching and eyes are wet with tears It's the land where hearts start breaking when the smoke of battle clears There's a voice that seems to haunt me when the shades of night appear 'Tis the mournful voice of Belgium ringing in my ear [REFRAIN:] I hear the voice of Belgium calling far across the sea I speak of wives and mothers waiting patiently I hear the cries of children praying, sad as they could be I can hear them say, "Please, send my Daddy back to me" [2nd VERSE:] Hear a voice that rings with sorrow, it mournfully imparts That the news of each tomorrow means a thousand broken hearts See a hand stretch'd out for mercy with a plea to every man 'Tis the call for help from Belgium - answer, if you can
[1st VERSE:] I know a millionaire Who's burdened down with care A load is on his mind He's thinking of the day When he must pass away And leave his wealth behind I haven't any gold To leave when I grow old Somehow it passed me by I'm very poor but still I'll leave a precious will When I must say good-bye [REFRAIN:] I'll leave the sunshine to the flowers I'll leave the springtime to the trees And to the old folks, I'll leave the mem'ries Of a baby upon their knees I'll leave the night time to the dreamers I'll leave the songbirds to the blind I'll leave the moon above To those in love When I leave the world behind [2nd VERSE:] To every wrinkled face I'll leave a fireplace To paint their fav'rite scene Within the golden rays Scenes of their childhood days When they were sweet sixteen I'll leave them each a song To sing the whole day long As toward the end they plod To ev'ry broken heart With sorrow torn apart I'll leave the love of God
[1st VERSE:] Goodbye, ev'rybody, I'm on my way to Louisville I feel, oh, so happy I hardly can keep still Although my home is very small, I invite you all If you will come, you'll be welcome any time you call [REFRAIN:] Don't forget Don't forget When you're down in Louisville Louisville, Louisville Just call around, I'll be found in the town directory I'll have the table set No fancy dishes But the things you get Will all be delicious And you're just as welcome as can be When you get there, take a Jitney bus Call on us I'll have you see the family If you're ever so lucky to be down in Kentucky Don't forget to stop at Louie, Louie, Louisville And call on me [2nd VERSE:] Listen, ev'rybody, we've got the fairest women there Lovely dispositions and locks of golden hair They've got complexions like the rose, ev'rybody knows Nature made them, we parade them dressed in simple clothes
[1st VERSE:] I had a wonderful dream last night I never saw such a lovely sight I dreamt that the warring nations were at a ball There wasn't anyone talking fight They realized that it wasn't right And this is just what I noticed in the hall [REFRAIN:] The King of England danced With the President of France The Crown Prince of Germany Danced with the King of Hungary They all laid down their swords While the different Dukes and Lords All shouted "We don't want any more talk of war talk" They started drinking to each other like brothers They drank a toast to each other's flag The Russian Czar said to the Kaiser "Let's drink some Budweiser" Then he shook his hand while a German band Played an American rag [2nd VERSE:] The Russian Czar wet his lips with wine And started whistling the "Wacht am Rhein" The Kaiser sang "Tipperary" without a pause They kept it up till the break of day Then when they started to go away The whole world rang out with gladness just because
[1st VERSE:] Hear the sound of shuffling feet On the pavements of the street Look up the Avenue Hear that shout, tell me haven't you Heard about the Friars coming into town Ev'rybody come on down [REFRAIN:] Come and see the Friars Here they come, here they come See that mob go marching four in a row On the job to give a wonderful show Look at those live wires In their dusters arrayed Just hear that snappy rhythm From the band Come on and march right with 'em Understand You'll see the best show ever played If you follow the Friars parade [2nd VERSE:] See those "coppers" on the track Holding ev'rybody back They've stopped the trolley cars To make room for a hundred stars Like a broom they'll sweep the town of all dull care Ev'rybody should be there
[1st VERSE:] Hiram Perkins sittin' by the fire Talking to his wife Hollered out, "Now look-a here, Maria A farmer's life was never meant for our son The boy is almost twenty-one I've been closely watching him of late And something's gotta be done" [REFRAIN:] He's getting too darn big for a small town He ought to be in New York He has seen a champagne cork He's even eating with his fork He knows at least a dozen of "troopers" He's got a tie from Siegel and Cooper's And his name stamped on the inside of his hat Think-a that, think-a that! Down there on Broadway is the place where he belongs He knows "Bedelia" and the other latest songs He's got a watch with an open crystal And a walking cane with a pistol He's getting too darn big for a one-horse town [2nd VERSE:] Hiram Perkins bought a railroad ticket On the B. and O. When they warned him New York town was wicked He said, "I know, but then my boy can hold his own Of late he's actin' too high-tone' Why, he combs his hair three times a day He even uses cologne"
[1st VERSE:] You know my Uncle Jeremiah Who disappeared a month ago We got a letter from Hawaii And I declare, my uncle's there The atmosphere set him on fire It simply went right to his head What do you think he wrote In his little note? This is what he said [REFRAIN:] I'm down in Honolulu looking them over I'm down in Honolulu living in clover Try and guess the way they dress No matter what you think it is, it's even less Their language is hard to understand because it's so tricky I've got them teaching me to say "wicky wicky" I don't know what it means but it's the best that ever was And if it means just what I think it does I'll be in Honolulu looking them over for a long, long time [2nd VERSE:] My brother said "It's very nifty Our Uncle's got the right idea" Although my brother's very thrifty He sent a wire to Jeremiah He said "I'll go you fifty fifty With ev'ry Hula girl you see" My brother nearly died Uncle just replied Please don't bother me
[1st VERSE:] Jack McCoy, a soldier boy Was taken from the battle wounded A pretty red cross nurse Was there to see that he wouldn't get worse From the start she won his heart So when he started to get better He called her to his side And in a pleading voice he cried [REFRAIN:] Don't make me love you because I'm not prepared My heart is weak and I'm a trifle scared Oh, can't you see I'm in a bad condition With no ammunition So please don't attack me with those bewitching eyes Each time your fingers touch my wrist, I can't resist I fear that I must surrender You've got me in your power I'm weak'ning ev'ry hour For when I gaze into your great big eyes It seems my temp'rature begins to rise Please don't make me love you Because I'm not prepared [2nd VERSE:] Jack cried out, "There is no doubt If you continue your attack, dear You'll soon capture my fort Then I'll be left with a wife to support That won't do, I'm warning you It won't be easy for your Jack, dear To raise a family Upon a soldier's salary"
[1st VERSE:] "Take me to the dentist right away" Shouted little Johnny Jones one day I've got a tooth that's hurting me and I simply can't delay In about an hour he was there Standing right beside the dentist's chair And when they sat him inside To the dentist, Johnny cried: [REFRAIN:] I've got a sweet tooth bothering me Pull it out! Pull it out! Pull it out! It isn't candy or molasses It isn't honey, jam or cake But when a sweet young lady passes My tooth begins to ache Like the dickens I don't use sugar at all in my coffee or my tea But when I meet Rosie, Flo or May My wisdom tooth says, "Keep away!" But my sweet tooth starts bothering me [2nd VERSE:] Johnny hollered out, "There's no one home In the second story of my dome Except a thousand ladies fair and it's like a honeycomb Ev'ry night when I sit down to eat First I have my oysters, soup and meat And then my fav'rite dessert Is the rustle of a skirt
[1st VERSE:] Everybody sings of the sunny South That's the song that clings to the singer's mouth They ragtime it and boost the climate Way up to the sky I Never cared a lot for the Swanee shore There's another spot that I'm rooting for I've been there and I must declare It can't be praised too high [REFRAIN:] If I had my way, I'd always stay In Florida among the palms With its peaceful air of "I don't care" And lazy atmosphere that calms My one favorite haunt Is a palm tree, and all I want Is someone just to rest in my arms I'd love to live among the bamboo huts, the cocoanuts There's something in the climate that charms Heaven's corridor is sunny Florida Home of the shelt'ring palms [2nd VERSE:] Florida was named very prettily By the man who claimed its discovery He spent hours among the flowers And called it "God's Land" And Nature seems to sigh "it's my favorite" That's the reason why Heaven gave her it It was born from a diamond worn Upon an Angel's hand
[1st VERSE:] I left my darling The other day We started quarr'ling I went away But now I wish that I was back I love my baby Indeed I do And who knows maybe She loves me too But that's just maybe And that won't do [REFRAIN:] All that worries me Is someone else may be there while I'm gone In my dreams I see A couple spooning on the lawn That very thought Just keeps me worried I lay awake till the break of dawn I must hurry back 'Cause someone else may be there while I'm gone [2nd VERSE:] I'm wild about her That's why I'm blue I hate to doubt her The way I do I may be wrong, I may be right Altho' I worry An awful lot If I should hurry Back to the spot She may be waiting She may be not
[1st VERSE:] When the robin returns to its nest After straying away from the rest There's a welcome that waits From its feathery mates A welcome that can't be expressed So it is with the boy who decided From his father and mother to roam Through his travels he may be misguided But when fin'lly the black sheep comes home [REFRAIN:] Ev'rything that he did is forgotten And they welcome him back to the fold He knows by their sad, wrinkled faces That the pain of his absence has told Once again, they all sit 'round the table As they did in the days of old And they'll weep tears of joy As they whisper "My Boy" When the black sheep returns to the fold [2nd VERSE:] When the smile of a fool starts to fade When he finds out the errors he made Then the old-fashioned truth That he heard in his youth Says, "Go home," but he is afraid As he stands on the threshold of sorrow With the doors of the world closed up tight He compares yesterday with tomorrow And decides that he'll go home that night
[1st VERSE:] It takes a German to make Lager Beer It takes the French to make wine It takes a pale-faced man from old Japan To make a nice embroidered fan It takes a Turk to make the cigarettes For you American men It takes a black-eyed Hawaiian lad To make ukeleles, but then [REFRAIN:] It takes an Irishman to make love It seems to fit them just like a glove I know you money-makers are here in New York But all the heart breakers are over in Cork It is not the things that they do But how they do them fascinates you And when it comes to kissing sure they stand alone For years they've practiced on the blarney stone And you'll discover that the world's great lover Came from Ireland [2nd VERSE:] You've heard them sing in all their Irish songs "Ireland fell from the skies" And I believe it's true, their eyes of blue Are little bits of Heaven too Talk of your gentlemen from foreign lands And the polite things they do But it's the honey-toned Irish voice That steals the heart right out of you