Round on the End and High in the Middle

A song from the 1922 musical comedy “The Hotel Mouse.”
Words and music by Alfred Bryan and Bert Hanlon.

Sheet music from Baylor University:

Round-on-the-End-and-High-in-the-Middle – Sheet MusicDownload

Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:

Round_On_The_End_And_High_In_The_Middle – MIDIDownload

Lyrics

  1. Old man Biddle gave me a riddle
    Just the other day
    I guessed it right away
    I am glad to say
    The riddle that he gave to me
    I will give to you
    And if you think you’re smart like me
    Let’s see what you can do

Chorus
Round on the end and “Hi” in the middle
Tell me if you know
Don’t you think that’s a cute little riddle
Round on the end and “Hi” in the middle
You can find it on the map
If you look high and low
The O’s are round, it’s high in the middle
O-H-I-O, that’s the riddle
Round on the end and “Hi” in the middle
O-HI-O

  1. Pa and mother, my great big brother
    Couldn’t guess it right
    Tho’ they tried all their might
    Just the other night
    I’ve got that riddle down by heart
    And I ain’t no fool
    I’m goin’ to teach this riddle too
    To all the kids at school

Sung here by Vancha March: