From the 1902 musical comedy “Algy”.
Words and music by E. W. Rogers.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- To follow in your father’s footsteps is
A motto for each boy
And following in father’s footsteps is
A thing I much enjoy
My mother caught me out one evening up
The West End, on the spree
She said, “Where are you going?”
But I answer’d, “Don’t ask me”
Chorus
I’m following in father’s footsteps
I’m following the dear old dad
He’s just in front with a fine big gal
So I thought I’d have one as well
I don’t know where he’s going
But when he gets there I’ll be glad
I’m following in father’s footsteps
Yes, I’m following the dear old dad
- Pa said that to the North of England he
On bus’ness had to go
To Charing Cross he went, and there he booked
I booked “first class” also
I found myself, that night, in Paris
To the clergyman, next door
I answered, when he said
“What are you in this day place for?”
Chorus
I’m following in father’s footsteps
I’m following the dear old dad
He’s trav’ling now for his firm, you see
In “fancy goods” it seems to me
I don’t know where he’s going
But when he gets there I’ll be glad
I’m following in father’s footsteps
Yes, I’m following the dear old dad
- At Margate, with papa, I toddled out
To have a good old swim
I didn’t know the proper place to bathe
So left it all to him
I found myself amongst some ladies and
Enjoyed it, so did Pa
Till Ma yelled, “Percy, fie! for shame”
Said I, “It’s all right, Ma”
Chorus
I’m following in father’s footsteps
I’m following the dear old dad
He’s just out there with the fair Miss Jupp
To show me how to hold girls up
I’m going to hold her next, ma
So when he drops her I’ll be glad
I’m following in father’s footsteps
Yes, I’m following the dear old dad
- To dinner, up in town, last night I went
And Pa went there as well
How many Pommery’s we had, my word
I really couldn’t tell
At two a. m. Pa started off for home
Like this! and so did I
Folks said, “Mind where you’re going”
But I simply made reply
Chorus
I’m following in father’s footsteps
I’m following the dear old dad
He’s wabbling on in the front, you see
And ‘pon my word, he’s worse than me
I don’t know where he’s going
But when he gets there I’ll be glad
I’m following in father’s footsteps
Yes, I’m following the dear old dad
Sung here by Fred Feild: