No Means Yes

A foxtrot dancing song from 1923
Words by Harlan Thompson
Music by Harry Archer


The sheet music:


Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:


Lyrics

  1. Every few days, maybe two days
    I propose to you
    And always you say “No
    Please take your hat and go”
    Now to someone who’s a dumb one
    That would make him blue
    But where girls are concerned
    I have learned

Chorus
“No” means “yes” and “yes” means “no”
They say, dear, “No” means “yes”
So, I won’t go away, dear
Every single time that you refuse me
Makes me more determined
You will never, never lose me
“No” means “yes” in spite of your denial
I will have you marching down the aisle
“No” means “yes” and so you see
What good would you “yesses” be?
Keep on saying “No” and marry me

  1. Every girlie very early
    Learns to answer “No”
    It’s wise you will admit
    I don’t blame them a bit
    But a habit, like a rabbit
    Will increase and grow
    Until one must expect
    This effect

Sung here by Laurence Rubenstein: