I Never Knew I Had a Wonderful Wife

. . . Until the town went dry.
A popular song from 1919.
Words by Lew Brown.
Music by Albert Von Tilzer.


The sheet music:


Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:


Lyrics

  1. Jonesy used to roam, stayed away from home
    He’d go out with the boys and leave his wifie all alone
    But when the town went dry, Jones began to cry
    “With no cafes or cabarets, I know I’m going to die”
    For weeks it had him worried, but now he’s feeling gay
    I heard him tell a friend of his
    While on the street today, Say!

Chorus
I never knew I had a wonderful wife until the town went dry
The way I spent my money on women was a crime
I found that with my wife, I could have had a better time
I’d send her to the country and I’d always yell hooray
But I saw her picture in a bathing suit the other day
I never knew I had a wonderful wife until the town went dry

  1. Jones began to stay, ’round the house all day
    His wifie wondered what it was that made him act that way
    He’d run out to the store, help her scrub the floor
    He’d hug her and he’d love her like he never did before
    His friends thought he was crazy, they told him that he was
    But Jones said if I’m crazy then I’m satisfied because

Chorus
I never knew I had a wonderful wife until the town went dry
I used to make excuses and go out to the club
And when I think of what I missed I knew I’ve been a dub
To keep her shape I thought my wife used all those girlish tricks
Since I stayed home, I’ve found out she’s a perfect thirty-six
I never knew I had a wonderful wife until the town went dry


Sung here by Vancha March: