A comic song for a male chauvinist, 1905.
words by Henry Blossom
music by Victor Herbert
This song was part of the comic opera Mlle. Modiste. It was reprinted as a single song in 1915.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- Though fools may prate of the married state
And the evils of bachelor life
I’m happier far than the married men are
Who are cursed with a shrew of a wife
I drink my fill, if I have the will
With friends who are tried and old
And oft, when the company’s good, I stay
I may not come home till the break of day
But if dinner is waiting and I am away
There is no one to nag me or scold
Chorus
For I want what I want when I want it
That’s all that makes life worth the while
For the wine that tonight fills my soul with delight
On the morrow may seem to me vile
There’s no worldly pleasure, myself I deny
There’s no one to ask me the wherefore or why
I eat when I’m hungry, and drink when I’m dry
For I want what I want when I want it
I want what I want when I want it
- The “fireside joys” with the fuss and noise
Of children who fight and squall
May do for the man on the home staying place
But it wouldn’t suit me, not at all
Of course, your life, if you have no wife
Is lonesome at times and slow
But whether you marry or not, they say
You’re bound to regret it either way
Let those who are single be sorry who may
I’d be sorrier married I know
Chorus
For I want what I want when I want it!
That’s all that makes life worth the while
I can find if I will lots of good fellows still
Who will give me a welcoming smile
So there’s no worldly pleasure, myself I deny
There’s no one to ask me the wherefore or why
I eat when I’m hungry, and drink when I’m dry
For I want what I want when I want it
I wnat what I want when I want it
Sung here by Fred Feild: