From the musical “Louisiana Purchase”, 1940.
Words and music by Irving Berlin.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
Why do I allow my heart to make decisions for me?
Why do I keep list’ning to my heart?
Why do I get so involved when I would rather be free?
Maybe it’s because I’m not so smart
Chorus
Fools fall in love
Only lunatics fall in love
And I’m a fool
Fools seek romance
Only idiots take a chance
And I’m a fool
I should be able to put all my feelings aside
I should be able to take one free ride in my stride
But fools cannot play
They get serious right away and break the rule
My heart’s on fire when I know I ought to keep cool
Fools fall in love and I’m such a fool
Sung here by Laurence Rubenstein: