(When they mean grown up ladies)
A popular song from 1918
Words by Al. Harriman
Music by Jack Egan
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by Denese Coulbeck:
Lyrics
- I know how far each star is from this earth
I call each bird and flower by its name
Tho’ I speak Chinese, Latin, French and Greek
I confess I’m puzzled just the same
For there’s one thing I’ve studied day and night
And I can never make it come out right
Chorus
Why do they call the “Babies”
When they mean grown up ladies
There is a friend of mine
He takes one out to dine
Her eyes are haughty, naughty, naughty
I know she’s over forty
And yet they call them “Babies”
Why they do it simply beats the band
They’re talking baby talk, it’s all the rage
They’re acting childish but its from old age
Just why they call them “Babies”
I could never understand
- Geography and ancient history
Have never seemed to bother me a mite
Why “Mathematics” is my middle name
Hardest problems always come out right
But there’s one thing that I can’t figure out
I’d like to know just what it’s all about
Chorus
Why do they call them “Babies”
When they mean grown up ladies
I saw a show last night
I nearly died of fright
One kept winkin’, I kept thinkin’
I bet she knew Abe Lincoln
And yet they call them “Babies”
Why they do it simply beats the band
They love to dress in baby lace and silk
But I have yet to hear one cry for milk
Just why they call them “Babies”
I could never understand
Sung here by Laurence Rubenstein: