From the 1936 film “The Show Is On”.
Words and music by Hoagy Carmichael and Stanley Adams.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
Back in eighteen eighty-six
When President Cleveland kissed you
Bet you were the favorite debutante
Goodness, how the title sticks
‘Cause no one can resist you
You are still so gaily nonchalant
And as for all our modern things
Aeroplanes that don’t have wings
Bet that you did pretty well
Without them, didn’t you?
Refrain
Little old lady passing by
Catching everyone’s eye
You have such a charming manner
Sweet and shy
Little old bonnet set in place
And a smile on your face
You’re a perfect picture
In your lavender and lace
Little bit of business here
Little bit of business there
Bet that you’ve been window shopping
All around the square
Little old lady, time for tea
Here’s a kiss, two or three
You’re just like that little old lady
I hold dear to me
Refrain
Little old Lady, so petite
Ask the cop on the beat
He’ll be glad to help you
When you cross the street
Little old Lady, where’s your shawl?
It’s so late in the fall
You might start to sneeze, and my!
That wouldn’t do at all
Little lavelier of jet
Little things you can’t forget
But you were the reigning bell
At every minuet
Little old Lady, so polite
Close your eyes, that’s all right
You deserve a sweet bouquet
Of pleasant dreams tonight
Sung here by Laurence Rubenstein: