From the musical “What’s in a Name”, 1920.
Words by John Murray Anderson and Jack Yellen.
Music by Milton Ager.
Sheet music provided by Laurence Rubenstein:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- Since my love days embryonic
Real affection I have sought
Not the sentiment platonic
Girls of now-a-days are taught
Those attachments intellectual
Seems to me so ineffectual
Chorus
Without kissing, love isn’t love
When it’s missing, love isn’t love
True affection can never express
It’s perfection without a caress
Love embraceless cannot suffice
It’s so tasteless, lacking in spice
Turtle doving puts the love into loving
Without it, love isn’t love
- Tho’ it may seem out of fashion
I prefer a yearning glance
Telling of a secret passion
And a longing for romance
Kissless love while there’s no harm in it
Still there’s very little charm in it
Sung here by Fred Feild: