A popular song from 1910
Words and music by Abe Olman
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. Sweet Mabel was pretty accomplished and witty
But somehow she had a red nose
Her Mother allowed her a lot of face powder
For her nose was red as a rose
One night Bill McCarty took her to a party
And asked for just one little kiss
She cried, “I’m so nervous someone might observe us”
And then with a blush told him this
Chorus:
I want to powder my nose
My tiny nose, my shiny nose
My nose gets red when I talk to you
What is a poor girl to do
I’ve got powder enough
My powder puff is right in my muff
I like hugs and kisses like most other misses
But I want to powder my nose
2. She tried Christian Science but put no reliance
In what all the “skin” doctors said
While out in Altoona, she tried some PERUNA
But still Mabel’s nose remained red
Then big Bill McCarthy who thinks he’s a smarty
Said “Mabel your nose is all right
It looks like a cherry but someday we’ll marry”
Then Mabel cried out in delight