#380 - For Goodness Sake Don't Say I Told You

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• Composer:
  • Arthur Lloyd

    • #380 - For Goodness Sake Don't Say I Told You
    • #412 - Not for Joseph

    (1839-1904), 1878
• MIDI | show
  
• Incipit: 553321231654567127551
• Condensed Incipit: 532123165456712751
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• Lyrics:
  I'm going to whisper some words in your ear,
  But for goodness sake don't say I told you,
  What ever I say, and what ever you hear,
  But for goodness sake don't say I told you;
  I think you'll acknowledge before you depart
  That I've unreservedly opened my heart
  And what ever I know I to you will impart,
  But for goodness sake don't say I told you.
  
  They say that your boys are quite fond of us girls,
  But for goodness sake don't say I told you,
  Then when we smile on you your head fairly whirls,
  But for goodness sake don't say I told you;
  That at us you are constantly making sheep's eyes,
  That your bosoms are constantly heaving with sighs,
  For my part I think you are awfully nice,
  But for goodness sake don't say I told you.
  
  I'm awfully modest, and awfully shy,
  But for goodness sake don't say I told you.
  But in spite of it all, I like fun on the sly;
  But for goodness sake don't say I told you.
  I'm sorry, so sorry, for hearts that I break,
  I know it ain't right, but I certainly take,
  In that line, what's commonly known as the cake;
  But for goodness sake don't say I told you.
  
  They're tearing the lamp-posts out just by the score;
  But for goodness sake don't say I told you.
  But for now I don't think they'll tear up any more,
  But for goodness sake don't say I told you.
  For returning from lodge on a cold winter night,
  The gents who are tired can't do without light,
  And they'll sing a grand chorus of “Now that's not right;”
  But for goodness sake don't say I told you.
  
  Of doggerel verse I've exhausted my store,
  But for goodness sake don't say I told you.
  My muse has declared “She won't do so some more,”
  But for goodness sake don't say I told you.
  From further demands, then, I pray you, refrain,
  My song breathes its last, and there let it remain,
  Excuse these few words till I see you again,
  But for goodness sake don't say I told you.
  
  
  • B.E. Gordon, 1883
• Lyrics:
  I'm going to whisper some words in your ear,
  But for goodness sake don't say I told you,
  Whatever I say, and whatever you hear,
  For goodness' sake, don't say I told you;
  I think you'll acknowledge before you depart
  That I've unreservedly opened my heart
  And what ever I know I to you will impart,
  But, for goodness' sake, don't say I told you.
  
  The mashers are getting too thick on the street,
  But for goodness' sake, don't say I told you,
  In gorgeous apparel (unpaid for) complete,
  But for goodness' sake, don't say I told you.
  With eye glass and cane quite cutting a swell,
  In front of the “Grand” or the “Palace” Hotel,
  But what they are good for nobody can tell,
  But, for goodness' sake, don't say I told you.
  
  The political pool's in a curious state,
  But for goodness' sake, don't say I told you,
  Both parties are watching and cutting their bait,
  But for goodness' sake, don't say I told you.
  For a new party some people think there is room,
  And when it once starts it will go with a boom,
  And send all the old ones away up the flume,
  But, for goodness' sake, don't say I told you.
  
  For matters have got in such terrible shape,
  But, for goodness' sake, don't say I told you;
  With uncivil service and legal “red tape”,
  But, for goodness' sake, don't say I told you.
  That honest “Pub Func's” are a thing of the past,
  So every one says that the worst are the last,
  And the end of the world is approaching us fast,
  But, for goodness' sake, don't say I told you.
  
  The really great singers are nearly all dead,
  But, for goodness' sake, don't say I told you;
  And those that are not are the same for they're wed,
  But, for goodness' sake, don't say I told you.
  It makes me feel lonesome to see them all go,
  And one by one dropping like bricks in a row,
  But music still lives while I do you know,
  But, for goodness' sake, don't say I told you.
  
  A great fault in singers you all will admit,
  But, for goodness' sake, don't say I told you;
  Is failing to “catch on”, the moment to quit,
  But, for goodness' sake, don't say I told you.
  They spin out their ditty so horribly long
  That more of a sermon it is than a song,
  So I'll “spin” out of sight where perhaps I belong,
  But, for goodness' sake, don't say I told you.
  
  encore verse:
  Well, what's the diffikilty now with you folks,
  Ain't you suited with what I have told you?
  I've got to the end of my budget of jokes,
  But, for goodness' sake, don't say I told you.
  Now a tale that's twice told is as good as no tale,
  So “ta ta”, my friends, this time without fail,
  But, for goodness' sake, don't say I told you.
  
  
  • M.E., 1883

There are several editions, with differing lyrics and additional verses, but the first verse is usually similar, and the closing verse follows a similar theme. Many include political statements in middle verses.