If You’re Only Fooling ’Round Me

(Why Don’t You Put Me Wise?)
A popular song from 1920
Words and music by George J. Bennett


The sheet music:


Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:


Lyrics

  1. Why don’t you let me have your confidence?
    It isn’t right to keep me in suspense
    I’m in doubt, help me out
    I needn’t tell you what it’s all about
    It’s just as plain as can be
    You’re hiding something from me

Chorus:
If you’re only fooling ’round me
Why don’t you put me wise?
You throw me ’round just like a big rubber ball
You bounce me up to Heaven, then you let me fall
It’s so easy to deceive me
But now you’ve opened up my eyes
Each time I mention something ’bout a ring
You seem to lose your speech and everything
So, if you’re only fooling ’round me
Why don’t you put me wise?

  1. I often wonder why you act so strange?
    I might have known that some day you would change
    Tell me why, you should try
    To keep a love a-flame that ought to die
    It’s time that I should explain
    That you have nothing to gain

Chorus:
If you’re only fooling ’round me
Why don’t you put me wise?
You throw me ’round just like a big rubber ball
You bounce me up to Heaven, then you let me fall
It’s so easy to deceive me
But mother opened up my eyes
She said, “Be careful when they act too nice”
And when she’s gone I’ll think of her advice
So, if you’re only fooling ’round me
Why don’t you put me wise?


Sung by Laurence Rubenstein: