“A Bicycle Built For Two”, 1892.
Words and music by Harry Dacre.
Written by an Englishman while visiting the U.S. and Tin Pan Alley. This love song was first published and performed in London where the bicycle was all the rage. It has a happy lilt and an optimistic message. It was topical and trendy in the gay 1890s.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- There is a flower within my heart, Daisy, Daisy
Planted one day by a glancing dart
Planted by Daisy Bell
Whether she loves me or loves me not
Sometimes it’s hard to tell
Yet I am longing to share the lot
Of beautiful Daisy Bell
Chorus
Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer, do
I’m half crazy, all for the love of you
It won’t be a stylish marriage
I can’t afford a carriage
But you’ll look sweet on the seat
Of a bicycle built for two
- We will go tandem as man and wife, Daisy, Daisy
Ped’ling away down the road of life
I and my Daisy Bell
When the road’s dark we can both despise
P’liceman and lamps as well
There are bright lights in the dazzling eyes
Of beautiful Daisy Bell - I will stand by you in wheel or woe, Daisy, Daisy
You’ll be the bell(e) which I ring
You know, sweet little Daisy Bell
You’ll take the lead in each trip we take
Then if I don’t do well
I will permit you to use the brake
My beautiful Daisy Bell
Sung here by Fred Feild: