A popular song from 1916.
Words and music by F. C. Metcalfe and Billy Smythe.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- You ask me just what puzzles me
What makes me study so
It’s Cupid’s Mathematics, dear
The least of which I know
Addition and subtraction, too
Division and the rest
Now if you love me tell me do
You think this answer best?
Chorus
Two ruby lips divided
By a row of shining pearls
Then multiply two dreamy eyes
By your pretty golden curls
Subtract from this the sweetest kiss
‘Neath shining stars above
A ring you add, and there you’ve had
Arithmetic of Love
- I oft recall my Childhood Days
Those happy hours in school
When teacher with old fashioned ways
Taught us the Golden Rule
The problems that she handed me
So very hard to do
Seem easy when compared with one
Personified in you
Sung here by Laurence Rubenstein: