From the musical “Louisiana Purchase”, 1940.
Words and music by Irving Berlin.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- Why don’t you please give in
Just like a Siamese twin
I mean to stick to you until you do
I won’t take it on the chin
You’ll ever leave me flat
I’m not a “last year’s hat” that you can cast aside
I’ve got my pride and I won’t stand for that
Chorus
You can’t brush me off
As you would a speck of powder
You may try
But you can’t brush me off
You can’t shout me down
You can yell but I’ll yell louder
You can try
But you can’t brush me off
You can say you’re out
But I’ll keep phoning
You can tell me goodbye
You can tell me but I won’t go
No you can’t leave me cold
As you would a plate of chowder
You can try
But you can’t brush me off
- What is this all about
You’ve got me wrong no doubt
I give you all my time believe me
I’m not looking for some way out
I want you for my wife
Sharing my care and strife and that may not be fun
For when it’s done you’re stuck with me for life
Chorus
You can’t brush me off
As you would a fresh mosquito
You may try
But you can’t brush me off
You can’t rub me out
Like a spot on my tuxedo
You may try
But you can’t brush me off
You can cut me dead
But I won’t mind it
You may injure my pride
Still I’ll never decide to go
No you can’t drop me fast
As you would a live torpedo
You may try
But you can’t brush me off
Chorus
You can’t brush me off
Like a colored Pullman porter
You may try
But you can’t brush me off
You can’t lock me out
Like a frightened farmer’s daughter
You may try
But you can’t brush me off
You can drop a hint
But I won’t take it
You can tell me bad news
I intend to refuse to go
No you can’t give me back
As you would a leaden quarter
You may try
But you can’t brush me off