A popular song from the year 1919.
Words by Bud DeSylva.
Music by Jerome Kern.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
By women I’ve been warned that men aren’t nice
But I scorned such bad advice
I just told them I disagree
For the men seem alright to me
If one of them were near me always oh!
It would cheer me lots, I know
There are times that I cry
For I nearly die of lonesomeness, Heigh-o
Burthen
A man is such a handy thing to have around the house
I have no doubt that he’d be firm with the cook if need be
And when you hear a noise at night or think you see a mouse
A man is such a handy thing to have around the house
- I learned that now-a-days a girl will plan
Many ways to win a man
She may very demurely flirt
She may put on a shorter skirt
But if she doesn’t get him by this art
And he threatens to depart
I’ve a method in mind that surely will find
The shortcut to his heart
Burthen
A man is such a dear old thing to have around the house
Though you are not good looking he can’t resist your cooking
Just serve him out-of-season things like caviar and grouse
A man is such a handy thing to have around the house
Sung here by Fred Feild: