From the 1922 musical “Little Nellie Kelly”.
Words and music by George M. Cohan.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- You ask me why I fell in love with you
I’m goin’ to tell you the truth, dear
I’m goin’ to tell you the truth
The reason why I fell in love with you
Is because, my darling, I find
That you always bring to my mind
A certain someone I have loved
Since before I cut a tooth
Refrain
You remind me of my mother
My mother was a lot like you
So many little things you do
I find they bring to mind my mother
I never thought there’d be another
Would have that sweet appeal
Or could make me feel
That the old fool world was real
I’ve got a tin-type of my mother
When mother was a girl like you
You look a lot alike, you two
Her hair was just as fair
Her eyes used to twinkle
Just the same as your eyes do
You remind me of my mother
That’s why I love you
- I never knew you fell in love with me
I’m glad you told me the truth, dear
I’m glad you told me the truth
‘Twas such a lovely thing to say to me
For I know the love of mother
Is a love that’s like no other
The sweetest thought that ever
Could be whispered by a youth
Sung here by Fred Feild: