A World War I song from 1919
Words and music by Harry Ruby and George Jessel
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
Willie Earl met a sweet young girl one day in France.
Her naughty little glance put Willie in a trance.
Willie Earl couldn’t understand her talk you see.
He only knew two words in French, that he learned in the trench,
They were “oo-la-lah!” and “wee-wee”.
They would spoon beneath the moon above;
It was fun to hear them making love.
Chorus 1
She’d say, “compronay voo, papa?” and he’d say “oo-la-la! wee-wee,”
She’d smile and whisper “mercy bacoo.”
He’d answer, “I don’t mind if I do,”
She’d say, “if you be my papa, then I will be your ma-cherie”.
She’d pinch his cheek and say “you kes-ka-say,”
He’d say “not now, dear, but later I may;”
Then she’d say “Compronay voo, papa?” and he’d say oo-la-la! wee-wee!”
Verse 2
Willie Earl said, “this little girl is meant for me,
No more I’ll cross the sea, I’ll stay in gay Paree.”
Ev’ry day you would hear him say to his babee,
“Your talk I do not know but I, will manage to get by,
With my “oo-la-lah!” and “wee-wee”.
Ev’ry ev’ning Willie would rehearse;
Instead of getting better he got worse.
Chorus 2
She’d say, “compronay voo, papa?” and he’d say “oo-la-la! wee-wee,”
She’d say, “come see” and then roll her eyes,
He’d answer, “baby you’d be surprised.”
Each ev’ning they would promenade, upon ze boulevard, you see;
One day at lunch she said “café voola!”
He said, “my dear, don’t forget where you are.”
Then she’d say “Compronay voo, papa?” and he’d say oo-la-la! wee-wee!”
Sung by Laurence Rubenstein: