From the comedy “A Certain Party”, 1910.
Words by William Jerome.
Music by Jean Schwartz.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. My wife and I don’t get along
We simply fight and fight
I married her to win a bet
It really serves me right
The love she once declared was mine
Has simply turned to hate
So I’ve made up my mind
To visit old Nevada state
Chorus:
I’m on my way to Reno
I’m leaving town today
Give my regards to all the boys
And girls along Broadway
Once I get my liberty
No more wedding bells for fme
Shouting the battle cry of freedom
2. I’ve stood an awful lot from her
And never said a word
But, on the level, as a wife
She simply was a bird
At night when I’d come home from work
Just tired out and dead
I’d always find her eating
Soda crackers in the bed
Chorus:
I’m on my way to Reno
I’m leaving town today
It’s liberty or death with me
My hair is turning gray
Reno life is simply great
They grant divorces while you wait
Shouting the battle cry of freedom
3. Its awful when you tie yourself
Up to a suffragette,
And suffer, suffer, suffer till
Your brains are all to let,
She had the sign on me all right
I really will admit,
She used to make me stay at home
And try and learn to knit.
Chorus:
I’m on my way to Reno
I’m never coming back
Life in Reno must be grand
Husbands marching hand in hand
Shouting the battle cry of freedom
4. There was a time when South Dakota
Was the proper place
But when compared with Reno
It was never in the race
The only real Arcadia
From ‘Frisco east to Maine
Just think of it, the Judge and Jury
Meet you at the train
Chorus:
I’m on my way to Reno
To break the Marriage Knot
You just get off the train
And drop a nickel in the slot
You just get off the train and then
Turn round and then jump on again
Shouting the battle cry of freedom