A 1911 popular song.
Words by Paul West.
Music by Nat D. Ayer.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- I used to have a brother Ned
Got married to a skirt
Her eyes were green and her hair was red
She had a face that hurt
Ned said, “She has a sister, Sue
Who’d make a lovely bride
She looks just like my wifey, too”
Then quickly I replied
Chorus
I’d rather go to jail, boy
I’d rather go to jail
I’d rather stay there
Spend night and day there
Nobody on my bail
I know it is confining
And it makes you rather pale
But a face like that in a four room flat
I’d rather go to jail
- One night my brother went home late
His wifey wore a grin
She hit him with a dinner plate
And then the cops came in
The judge said, “You’re a naughty man
To act so to your bride
So kiss her and go home again”
But sadly Ned replied
Sung here by Vancha March: