Brother-‘n-Law Dan

a 1922 popular song
words and music by Joe Jordan

The sequel to the song Lovie Joe (1910). I learned of this song from James Pitt-Payne who borrowed the score from Luigi Ranelli. Sheet music found in 35 Song Hits by Great Black Songwriters (Dover).


Accompaniment:


Lyrics

  1. Lovie Joe, you all know
    Was loved by all the girls for miles around
    Jennie Pearl, was his girl
    They married, took a flat and settled down
    Joe’s brother Dan came to visit one day
    Jennie she fell dead in love with him right away
    She said, “I’m sure it’s lonesome for you down in Tennessee
    Won’t you come and live with us and keep me company
    You know, I know”

Chorus
Brother’n-law Dan, Brother’n-law dan
You can love much better than your brother Joe can
You’ve got a lovin’ whisper that just tickles my ear
And a tantalizin’ voice that I just loves to hear
And when you are away from me I raves and raves
I sees that lovin’ smile of yours for days and days
Then a feelin’ found my heart just plays and plays
And I could love you, honey, always always
I knows it’s wrong, but I can’t help it Brother’n-law Dan
But you sho’ can love much better than your brother Joe can

  1. Look here, Dan, understand
    I ain’t accusin’ you of doin’ wrong
    But I’m ‘fraid you done played
    This lovin’ racket just a little strong
    I came home this mornin’ ‘fore day
    Started in as usual with my parrot to play
    Now Dan, I ain’t suspicious but I’m blamed if I can see
    What my Polly meant by screechin’ out these words to me
    Like this, and this

Sung here by Fred Feild: