From the 1916 musical “The Girl From Brazil”.
Words by Matthew Woodward.
Music by Sigmund Romberg.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
Life’s a joke, a jest, a jumble
One long vaudeville act
Free for all, a rough-and-tumble
That’s a positive fact
Married life has lots of sorrow
Not forgetting the fun
Husbands are not allowed to roam
But to the city and back home
Car-fares from their wives they borrow
Martyrs every one
Then why on earth don’t we all keep single?
And why with dear ladies do we mingle?
Maybe it is just because we need some pa- and ma-in-laws
Perhaps the truth, if you insist
Is simply ’cause we can’t resist
‘Tis sure they corral us in their dragnet
Attract us like fifty horsepower magnet
When we’re married we complain
Married life gives us a pain
Get divorce, and then of course
We promptly marry again
Without pretty ladies
Life, I’m afraid, is profitless and vain
REFRAIN:
Oh, you lovely ladies
‘Spite of all we men may say
Tho’ at times we doubt you
Yet without you we’d pine away
Widows, wives, and maidies
Poor, or dressed in wealthy style
Hear the truth in chorus
We, your fond adorers
Bask in your beautiful smile
Dearest ladies, nearest ladies
Neatest ladies, sweetest ladies
You can compensate us with your fascinating smile
Oh, you lovely ladies
‘Spite of all we men may say
Tho’ at times we doubt you
Yet without you we’d pine away
Widows, wives, and maidies
Poor, or dressed in wealthy style
Hear the truth in chorus
We, your fond adorers
Bask in your beautiful smile
Dearest ladies, nearest ladies
Neatest ladies, sweetest ladies
You can compensate us with your fascinating smile