When You Kiss an Italian Girl

A popular song from 1911
Words and music by Irving Berlin


The sheet music:


Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:


Lyrics

  1. I no rave about Italy
    I no talk about my country
    Any place is the same to me
    Just so long I got enough to eat
    But I’d like-a to tell you dis
    I’m-a kiss-a da plenty miss
    But of all-a da sweet-a kiss
    There’s-a one got the world-a beat

Chorus:
When you kiss an Italian gal, boss
Oh! you feel-a
Well, I don’t know how to tell-a
But you get so excite
You go home that night
And put your left-a shoe
Upon the foot what is right
Let an Italian gal, boss
Kiss-a you upon the cheek
And you won’t wash your face
For a long-a time
‘Cause it feel-a so swell
When you kiss an Italian gal

  1. My sweetheart-a look like a freak
    Got a face-a just like next week
    But the minute I kiss the cheek
    Right away she look like Anna Hel’
    Married men, if you got da strife
    You can lead-a da happy life
    Ev’ry time that you kiss your wife
    Think of an Italian-a gal

Chorus:
When you kiss an Italian gal, boss
Oh! you feel-a
Well, I don’t know how to tell-a
But before much-a long
You feel-a so strong
You go and choke da monk
Until he sing-a da song
Let an Italian gal, boss
Kiss-a you upon the cheek
And you won’t wash your face
For a long-a time
‘Cause it feel-a so swell
When you kiss an Italian gal


Sung here by Laurence Rubenstein: