From the 1900 comic opera “Foxy Quiller”.
Words by Harry B. Smith.
Music by Reginald de Koven.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. There was once an ancient parrot
With a very ready tongue
Who sympathized with every joyous thing
This aged pet did not forget
That he had once been young
And he often said that youth must have it’s fling
Within this parrot’s family
There lived a pretty Miss
Who had a suitor rich, but old and fat
When this amatory bald-head knelt
And begged a tiny kiss
Cried the parrot, break away
I’m on to that
Ha, ha, ha, ha! absurd
But a most convenient bird
Refrain:
“Polly want a cracker?
Pretty Polly, Witty Polly
Instinct with the critter was sublime
He was full of rhyme and reason
Always had a word in season
Coming in just at the proper time
Polly, pretty Polly
Fond of youth and fond of folly
Full of conversation all the day
He was up to snuff, that parrot
And his brain was eighteen carat
For he knew the thing to say
Knew the proper thing to say
2. A nice young man adored that girl
A very pretty youth
The parrot seeing him said: “He’s all right”
That youth adored but spoke not
Said the parrot, “Tell the truth”
He was bashful, said the parrot: “Hold her tight”
When he sat too far away, the parrot said
“O you’re too slow”
And with the gas high yelled “Turn out the light”
When this eager youth embraced her hard
And gave her several smacks
Then the parrot chuckled loud, “You’re out of sight”
Ha, ha, ha, ha! absurd
But a most convenient bird