… it would still be Kelly to me, a 1916 popular song
words by Sam M. Lewis & Joe Young
music by Bert Grant
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. Timothy Kelly who owned a big store
Wanted his name painted over the door
One day Pat Clancy, the painter man came
Tried to be fancy and misspelled the name
Instead of Kelly with double “L – Y”
He painted Kelly, but one “L” was shy
Pat said, “it looks right, but I want no pay
I’ve reasoned it out in my own little way”
Chorus
If I knock the ‘L’ out of Kelly
It would still be Kelly to me
Sure a single “L – Y” or a double “L – Y”
Should look just the same to an Irishman’s eye
Knock off an “L” from Killarney
Still Killarney it always will be
But if I knock the “L” out of Kelly
Sure he’d knock the “L” out of me
2. Timothy Kelly looked up at the sign
He told Pat Clancy “that’s no name of mine
As a sign painter you’ll never go far
You’re a fine painter like Kelly you are
Shame on you Clancy, just see what you’ve done
You’ve spoiled the name of an Irishman’s son”
“Don’t let an “L” come between us” said Pat
“I’ve figured it out like a real diplomat”
Sung here by Fred Feild: