(But I’m livin’ the life of Reilly)
A popular song from 1919
words and music by Harry Pease, Ed G. Nelson and Neuman Fier
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. Kelly was a working man and worked hard all the day
Reilly lived just like a king in the house across the way
Kelly he was jealous of the way that Reilly’d dress
I’ll be like him, or break a leg, his friends heard him confess
I met him dressed to kill the other day
I shook his hand and then I heard him say
Chorus:
Sure, I’ve got a high silk hat the same as Reilly
Reilly hasn’t anything on me
I’m wearin’ fancy clothes, I’ve bought some silken hose
The only thing I couldn’t by was Reilly’s rosy nose
Sure when I go out the neighbors think I’m Reilly
Sometimes they even call me by his name
Faith and my name is Kelly, Michael Kelly
But I’m living the life of Reilly, just the same
2. Kelly’s kid and Reilly’s kid they had a little spat
Kelly’s kid hit Reilly’s kid with a great big baseball bat
Reilly got a warrant out for Kelly and his son
Next morning in the courtroom was where all was said and done
The judge asked Kelly something ’bout the fight
He got balled up and yelled with all his might
Chorus:
Sure I’ve joined the K of C the same as Reilly
Reilly hasn’t anything on me
I know you’ll all agree that he’s my enemy
Whenever he does wrong they get a warrant out for me
Sure I don’t know why they think that I am Reilly
For with a face like his I’d go insane
Faith and my name is Kelly
But I’m living the life of Reilly, just the same