A novelty song used in vaudeville, 1921.
words by Sidney Clare
music by Con Conrad
Imagine this as exaggerated comedy by someone like Carol Burnett. Really emphasize the “Ma” and the “marry me!”
The sheet music:
Accompaniment track:
Lyrics
- Little Lilly was oh! so silly and shy
And all the fellows knew, she wouldn’t bill and coo
Every single night some smart fellow would try
To cuddle up to her, but she would cry
Chorus:
Ma he’s making eyes at me, Ma he’s awful nice to me
Ma he’s almost breaking my heart
I’m beside him, mercy let his conscience guide him
Ma he wants to marry me, be my honey bee
Every minute he gets bolder, now he’s leaning on my shoulder
Ma he’s kissing me
- Lilly was so good, everybody could tell
You’d never see her roam, she’d always stay at home
All the neighbors knew little Lilly too well
For when the boys would call, they’d hear her yell
Chorus:
Ma he’s making eyes at me, Ma he’s awful nice to me
Ma he’s almost breaking my heart
If you peek in, can’t you see I’m goin’ to weaken?
Ma he wants to marry me, be my honey bee
Ma, I’m meeting with resistance, I shall holler for assistance
Ma he’s kissing me
Sung here by Fred Feild: