A 1929 popular song.
Words by Jack Yellen.
Music by Milton Ager.
Song suggested by Laurence Rubenstein.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- There’s one thing that a woman can’t live without
And that’s a man
There’s one thing keeps a woman always in doubt
And that’s a man
I’m no exception to the rule
I know they say that I’m a fool
But there’s one thing that I’m simply crazy about
And that’s a man
Chorus
He’s not good-looking, not handsome or tall
I couldn’t tell you how he made me fall
There’s nothin’ to him but still and all
He’s a good man to have around
He’s not a stepper, he can’t even waltz
In conversation, he stammers and halts
Poor little sweet man, with all his faults
He’s a good man to have around
Oh, sometimes I fly off the lid
“Go this minute,” I shout, but if he did
I would die without him
He’s not exactly my idea of
The perfect lover from Heaven above
But what’s the diff’rence? The man you love
Is a good man to have around
- What is it ev’ry woman certainly craves?
Ain’t it a man?
What is it that makes women nothing but slaves?
Ain’t it a man?
Ever since Adam picked on Eve
Women are made to moan and grieve
And what is it that puts women down in their graves?
Just low-down man
Chorus:
You wouldn’t like him, he’s nothin’ to show
Not to be trusted, I learned long ago
Just good for nothin’, but I don’t know
He’s a good man to have around
When dinner’s over, I turn and he’s gone
I hear him sneak in along about dawn
I don’t say nothin’ ’cause from then on
He’s a good man to have around
And sometimes when he starts to row
I don’t care if I live, But he knows how
To make me forgive him
Bought a revolver, I don’t mean for fun
I ought to shoot him for things that he’s done
Can’t pull the trigger, the son-‘fa-gun
He’s a good man to have around
Sung here by Fred Feild: