A character song from 1883
Words and music by J. M. Munyon
The sheet music:
Lyrics
1. A man may reign on change today
The King bee of the place
And everywhere this prince may go
He’ll meet a smiling face
But if he loses all his wealth
Society will know
With a look and a frown they’ll kick a man down
For money is power, you know
CHORUS
Yes, money is power, you know
No matter wherever you go
Then do all you can to help a poor man
For money is power, you know
2. The ladies all will smile on you
And lovingly caress
They’ll call you “pet” and tender names
If money you possess
But if your coat has shabby grown
And money has run low
They will stick up their nose and sneer at your clothes
For money is power, you know
3. Do not attempt all men to please
You’ll rue it if you try
They’ll cast you off like lemon peel
When they have squeezed you dry
This is a cold and selfish world
You’ll always find it so
They will give you the shake whenever you break
For money is power, you know