Ooo Ernest

(Are You Earnest With Me)
A popular song from 1922
Words by Sidney Clare and Harry Tobias
Music by Cliff Friend


The sheet music:


Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:


Lyrics

  1. Two dizzy lovers are trying to find out
    They love each other
    But don’t know what it’s all about
    She tells him and he tells her
    For years they’ve been that way
    Why even just the other night
    I heard her say

Chorus:
Ooo Ernest, I’m so crazy for you
Ooo Ernest, maybe you’re crazy too
You say we’ll marry the first of April dear
Now I don’t want no April fooly
Tell me truly
Ernest do you mean well by me
I’m in a puzzle you see
The years are flying by so fast
How long do you think I’ll last
Ernest are you earnest with me

  1. Those silly lovers are now both old and gray
    Still asking questions
    Just like two little kids at play
    She’s still single, so is he
    It seems they’ll never wed
    Why when he called the other night
    Here’s what she said

Chorus:
Ooo Ernest, in your eyes I can see
Ooo Ernest, they look crooked to me
You promised me some flowers when we wed
But I want flowers to be given
While I’m livin’
Ooo Ernest you’re a puzzle to me
Look what you turned out to be
When you first called, you were a youth
Now you’ve only got one tooth
Ernest are you earnest with me

Chorus:
Ooo Ernest, when you call every night
Ooo Ernest, you have some appetite
You say you’re never hungry when you start
But at the table you get thicker, eating quicker
Ooo Ernest, I’m so worried you see
What is the end gonna be
With all the meals you eat alone
We could feed a children’s home
Ernest are you earnest with me

(more lyrics on the sheet music)