(Don’t Say No – Say Maybe)
A popular song from 1924
Words by Bud G. De Sylva
Music by Walter Donaldson
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- Pretty Mary Grady
Was a bashful little lady
The boys all called her “Slow”
‘Cause all she said was “No”
Little Jackie Horner
Got her cornered in a corner
And he whispered “Marry me”
Don’t start in disagreein’
Chorus
Oh baby, Oh baby
Don’t say “No,” say “Maybe”
That’s just as good as “Yes” to me
Start learnin’ your lesson
Stop “No-in'”, keep “Yes-in'”
And you can leave the rest to me
Until you say “Let’s look for flats”
I’ll follow you until my soxies are spats
So baby, Oh, baby
Don’t say “No,” say “Maybe”
And baby, you’ll be mine
- Though she was contrary
Little Jackie landed Mary
Before she shook her head
She found that they were wed
Jackie now is grievin’
Little Mary’s getting even
When he wants to get away
Each night you’ll hear him sayin’
Chorus
Oh baby, Oh baby
Don’t say “No,” say “Maybe”
That’s just as good as “Yes” to me
Start learnin’ your lesson
Stop “No-in'”, keep “Yes-in'”
And you can leave the rest to me
Each evening when we’re home alone
I hope you’ll let me practice my saxophone
So baby, Oh, baby
Don’t say “No,” say “Maybe”
And baby, you’ll be mine
Chorus
Oh baby, Oh baby
Don’t say “No,” say “Maybe”
That’s just as good as “Yes” to me
Start learnin’ your lesson
Stop “No-in'”, keep “Yes-in'”
And you can leave the rest to me
I hope you’ll let me now and then
Go in a smoking car and sit with the men
So baby, Oh, baby
Don’t say “No,” say “Maybe”
And baby, you’ll be mine