A 1918 popular song.
Words by Andrew B. Sterling
Music by Harry Von Tilzer
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. When the circus came to town
Jay Augustus Henpeck Brown
Bought himself a ticket for the show
Passed by all the acrobats all the clowns in funny hats
Went to see the animals below
Saw a “Tamer” put his head into a lion’s mouth
Waited till the “Tamer man” was through
Shook his hand and said
“At taming wild ones you’re a bird
But just one thing I’d like to ask of you”
Chorus
Can you tame wild wimmen?
Can you tame wild wimmen?
You made a tiger stand and eat out of your hand
You made the hippo do the flippo
Honest it was grand
But can you tame wild wimmen?
So they’ll always lead a sweet and simple life?
With a wild ferocious glance
That pierced him like a lance
You made the grizzly bear get up and do the “Hula dance”
But can you tame wild wimmen?
If you can please tame my wife
2. Jay Augustus Henpeck Brown
Gave the crowd the up and down
Saw a woman edging t’ward the cage
There she is he yelled in fright
There she is, she’s wild all right
Wilder than a tiger in a rage
Mister “Tamer” man, he whispered in a trembling voice
Tell me did you ever have a wife
You can tame the wildest beasts I know
But listen please
There’s only one thing now can save my life
Sung here by Fred Feild: