A popular song from 1916.
Words by Ballard MacDonald.
Music by Harry Carroll.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
There’s a bathing beach that’s open all year ’round
Where the very best of swimmers can be found
Where life savers most are needed
Where no cry for help is heeded
Everybody hollers “Let ’em drown”
It’s a case of sink or swim
Hearts are sinking deep within
And all the waves are roaring “Going down”
CHORUS
Oh! your chances are slim
When you go for a swim
In the stormy sea of Love
There’s a strong undertow
And the first thing you know
“Down goes McGinty to the bottom of the sea”
So you’d better beware
Of the heart breakers there
Always keep your head above
For “Many brave hearts lie asleep in the deep
In the stormy sea of Love
Verse 2
Lots of credit’s due to anyone who braves
Swimming ‘against those matrimonial tidal waves
There are widows, maids and matrons
Numbered ‘mong the season’s patrons
Anything the pleasure seeker craves
It’s a case of sink or swim
Once that you have ventured in
For that’s where single men get closest shaves