From the musical “Kiss Me Kate”, 1948
Words and music by Cole Porter
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
Why can’t you behave?
Oh, why can’t you behave?
After all the things you told me
And the promises that you gave
Oh, why can’t you behave?
Why can’t you be good?
And do just as you should
Won’t you turn that new leaf over
So your baby can be your slave?
Oh, why can’t you behave?
There’s a farm I know near my old home town
Where we two can go and try settlin’ down
There I’ll care for you forever
‘Cause you’re all in the world I crave
But why can’t you behave?
Sung here by Laurence Rubenstein: