[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial language. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
(Wish I Had a Dime)
A popular song from 1907.
Words by Walter H. Stephens.
Music by Wm. F. Braun.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- Tell me what it is
That makes the world go round
Money, money
What is it that talks
But doesn’t make a sound
Money Money
You may be crazy, you may be lazy
But then you’d like to know
What is the reason keeps you from freezing
Out in the hail and snow
I’ll explain the reason why
I’ll tell you sure before I die
And if you listen you will hear me cry
Chorus
Money money money money all the time
Money money money wish I had a dime
Landlord hollers “Well I guess it’s up to you
You will either pay your rent or else Skidoo”
Money money money hear the people cry
Hear it when you’re born and until you die
What will you do when you haven’t a sou
It’s money money all the time
- Once a cashier of a bank
Thought he would like money, money
With a sackful of Green backs
He took a hike, Rummy, Dummy
And when they caught him
My how he fought them
But then it was no use, he’d spent a plenty
The Judge said twenty years in the calliboos
Now he’s in a flat that’s free
The land lord won’t say twenty three
And ev’ry Sunday he will go to church - Just about a month ago
I thought I’d get money, money
Hard luck hangs around
I haven’t got it yet, money, money
I started working, duties ne’r shirking
Down in a dry goods store
Now I’m disgusted, the firm’s gone busted
Sal’ry day comes no more
Dreams of coin float ev’rywhere
I live on soup and liquid air
And at the free lunch I’ll try to get mine