From the “MUSIC BOX REVUE,” 1922.
“Second Annual”.
Words and Music by Irving Berlin.
Cover Art by R.S. Rosebud-Rosenbaum Studio.
Copyright ©11 Oct 1922.
Also used in “ALEXANDER’S RAGTIME BAND,” 1938 film.
Sheet Music from the collection of Michael Deatz.
Mr. Berlin seems angry at the changes going on in music. From America’s Songs II by Michael Lasser: “… extraordinary range and variety … irregular rhythms …”
The sheet music:
Accompaniment:
Lyrics
Oh, I got a message from below
‘Twas from a man I used to know
About a year or so ago, before he departed
He is just as happy as can be
I’ll tell you what he said to me
He said, “If ever you get heavy hearted”
Chorus
Pack up your sins and go to the devil in hades
You’ll meet the finest of gentlemen and the finest of ladies
They’d rather be down below than up above
Hades is full of thousands of
Joneses and Browns, O’Hoolihans, Cohens and Bradys
You’ll hear a heavenly tune that went to the devil
Because the jazz bands, They started pickin’ it
Then put a trick in it, a jazzy kick in it
They’ve got a couple of old reformers in heaven
Making them go to bed at eleven
Pack up your sins and go to the devil
And you’ll never have to go to bed at all
Patter
If you care to dwell, where the weather is hot
H-E-double-L is a wonderful spot
If you need a rest and you’re all out of sorts
Hades is the best of the winter resorts
Paradise doesn’t compare
All the nice people are there
They come there from ev’rywhere
Just to revel with Mister Devil
Nothing on his mind but a couple of horns
Satan is waitin’ with his jazz band and his band
Came from Alabam’, with a melody hot
No one gives a damn if it’s music or not
Satan’s melody makes you want to dance for ever
And you never have to go to bed at all
Sung here by Fred Feild: