A 1919 popular song.
Words and music by Irving Berlin.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- Johnny was bashful and shy
Nobody understood why Mary loved him
All the other girls passed him by
Every one wanted to know
How she could pick such a beau
With a twinkle in her eye she made this reply
Chorus
He’s not so good in a crowd
But when you get him alone
You’d be surprised
He isn’t much at a dance
But then when he takes you home
You’d be surprised
He doesn’t look like much of a lover
But don’t judge a book by it’s cover
He’s got the face of an Angel
But there’s a Devil in his eyes
He’s such a delicate thing
But when he starts in to squeeze
You’d be surprised
He doesn’t look very strong
But when you sit on his knee
You’d be surprised
At a party or at a hall
I’ve got to admit he’s nothing at all
But in a morris chair
You’d be surprised
- Mary continued to praise
Johnny’s remarkable ways to the ladies
And you know advertising pays
Now Johnny’s never alone
He has the busiest phone
Almost every other day a new girl will say
Chorus
He’s not so good in the house
But on a bench in the park
You’d be surprised
He isn’t much in the light
But when he gets in the dark
You’d be surprised
I know he looks as slow as the Erie
But you don’t know the half of it dearie
He looks as cold as an Eskimo
But there’s fire in his eyes
He doesn’t say very much
But when he starts in to speak
You’d be surprised
He’s not so good at the start
But at the end of a week
You’d be surprised
On a streetcar or in a train
You’d think he was born without any brain
But in a taxicab, you’d be surprised
Sung here by Fred Feild: