A popular song from 1918
Words by Ben. Barnett and Chas. McCarron
Music by Albert Von Tilzer
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by Gerd Westendorp:
Lyrics
- One day to her husband said good Mrs. Green
Tomorrow our daughter will be seventeen
Just what to give her has worried me, too
So now John I’ll leave it to you
He answered, my dear, take her right into your heart
And gently tho’ frankly to her then impart
Things that a girl of her age ought to know
‘Tis the best gift that you can bestow
Chorus:
Tell her all about the white lights
Tell her all about the shadows, too
Tell her why so many lies are spoken
Tell her why so many hearts are broken
Tell her of the many dangers
Don’t let the neighbors say, I told you so
E’re she finds out from another
It’s the duty of a mother
To tell her everything she ought to know
- If mothers would just take their children aside
And to them without fear this lesson confide
Life would be sweeter, much pain would be spared
For those who had foolishly dared
You’re right, said his true wife, I’ll not hesitate
I’ll tell her the whole truth, before it’s too late
What e’er the future for her has in store
I’ll do my duty, I can’t do more
Sung by Vancha March: