A 1920 song published in Ottawa, Kansas.
The “Central” telephone operator was reached by calling 9-9.
Words by Henry McCurdy.
Music by S. Gordon Saunders.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment:
Lyrics
- The other night I felt so lonely
I had such awful blues
Then I went to the phone to try and find her alone
And see what she would do
But when I took down the receiver
The line was busy still
I hung up with a bang and then went out with the gang
Singing these mournful blues
Chorus
I’ve got the blues, those 99 blues, such awful blues
I don’t know what to do, but that’s my fate
Every time I call that place, Central says:
“Old fellow, you’ve pulled a bone, leave her alone
They’ve only got one telephone”
Each night I have a fight to get the line
And when I call 99, hear this reply
“Well, if you want to talk to your sweetie fair
You’ll have to send the message through the air
Oh, boy, I’ve got those 99 blues
- Down at the dance the other evening
Of course my girl was there
And she passed me by, her little head held high
Just as if I would care
But later when I talked things over
She said, “I am so mad
I’ve waited all fall for a telephone call
That’s why I’m feeling so sad
Sung here by Fred Feild: