From the musical “Roberta”, 1933.
Words by Bernard Dougall.
Music by Jerome Kern.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
Now we’ll say “Till something do us part”
That old dad of mine ain’t got a heart
Any girl who’s out for pleasure
Thinks of marriage only at her leisure
As it is, they’ve got the horse behind the cart
When my pop said we must wed
He kind of wowed me, still I’m ready
But one thing must be clear at the start
Burthen
I’ll be hard to handle
I promise you that
And if you complain
Here’s one little Jane who’ll leave you flat
I’ll be hard to handle
What else can I be?
I say with a shrug
I think you’re a mugg to marry me
When you first threw me a gander
I was willing to philander
But I never thought I’d have to be a bride
Now you’re gonna find tough sledding
I don’t want no shotgun wedding
I was only along for the ride
I’ll be hard to handle
I’m tellin’ you plain
Just be a dear, and scram out of here
I’m gonna raise Cain
Burthen
I’ll be hard to handle
My bridges are burned
This wedding’s a gag
And you’re in the bag where I’m concerned
I’ll be hard to handle
When we’ve said “I do”
I see there’s no hope
I just got a dope when I took you
I’ll be living my life in beds
But they always will be twin beds
And I warn you you’ll be living like a monk
Our affair is now a past one
So don’t think you’ve pulled a fast one
Just remember I think you’re a punk
I’ll be hard to handle
I’m no “ball and chain”
I’ll find some means to call the Marines
I’m gonna raise Cain
Sung here by Vancha March: