Revenge is sweet, 1919.
words and music by Irving Berlin
From the book Hit Songs by Don Tyler: “The song is a rather jazzy, mock-military style number. The lyrics are very clever and express the ultimate joy the singer feels because he is now the boss of his former commanding officer. Millions of draftees would have sympathized with the song’s sentiments.”
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- Johnny Jones was a first class private
In the army last year
Now he’s back to bus’ness in his father’s place
Sunday night I saw him with a smiling face
When I asked why he felt so happy
Johnny chuckled with glee
He winked his eye and made this reply:
“Something wonderful has happened to me”
Chorus
I’ve got the guy who used to be
My Captain working for me
He wanted work so I made him a clerk
In my father’s factory
And bye and bye I’m gonna have him
Wrapped in work up to his brow
I make him open the office ev’ry morning at eight
I come around about four hours late
Everything comes to those who wait
I’ve got my Captain working for me now
- He’s not worth what I have to pay him
But I’ll never complain
I’ve agreed to give him fifty dollars per
It’s worth twice as much to hear him call me “Sir”
While I sit in my cosy office
He’s outside working hard
Out in the hall at my beck and call
With a feather duster standing on guard
Sung here by Fred Feild: