From a 1908 musical based on the cartoon “Little Nemo”.
Words by Harry B. Smith.
Music by Victor Herbert.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- I’m just about the jolliest King that ever was on view
I reign in Slumberland, in manner blithe and bland
My subjects think I am a joke and I think I am, too
And so we get along, our life one comic song
From Slumberland I get of earth a kind of Birds-eye view
Those fellows on the earth, provoke my royal mirth
When I see all the funny things those human critters do
I giggle up my royal sleeve and chuckle quite a few
They are a joke, ha, ha, ha, ha
An awful joke, ha, ha, ha, ha
They are better than a minstrel show to me
How I laugh in royal glee
Ho, ho, ho, he, he, he, he
Oh what fools, oh my what fools those mortals be
How he laughs in royal glee
Ha, ha, ha, he, he, he, he
Oh what fools, oh my what fools those mortals be
- I see the av’rage business man a-working hard all day
He does not need more dough, he likes to hustle though
He’s got the habit, hates to see a nickel get away
He’s trying now to snare, some other fellows share
At fifty he’s a wreck, dyspepsia, gout and heart disease
He can’t have any fun, but, say he has a son
And Willie gets his papa’s cash and blows it in with ease
While daughter spends her share to buy a titled piece of cheese
They are a joke, ha, ha, ha, ha
A lovely joke, ha, ha, ha, ha
They are better than a pantomime to me
How I laugh in royal glee
Ho, ho, ho, he, he, he, he
Oh what fools, oh my what fools those mortals be
How he laughs in royal glee
Ha, ha, ha, he, he, he, he
Oh what fools, oh my what fools those mortals be
Sung here by Vancha March: