American Old Time Song Lyrics: 21 Weve Both Been There Before

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 21

We've Both Been There Before.
Copyright, 1888, by F. Harding.

My old pal Spifkins call'd on me. 'twas but the other day,
I had not seen him for a week, so be to me did say.
It's no use sticking here at home, let's go out for a walk.
And call into the "Tankard "for a drink and pleasant talk.
Of course I ask'd the "Missis." for she's the "boss," don't you know!
She answer'd rather lovingly, Of course you'd better go!"
We went into the "Tankard." had a glass of bitter beer.
Where ev'rybody wish'd a- both a prosperous New Year!

Chorus.
For we'd both been there before, many a time, many a time!
We'd both been there before, many a time!
Where many a gallon of beer had gone to color his nose and mine!
And we'd both been there before many a time, many a time!

We came out of the "Tankard "and we wandered down the street.
And ev'ry saloon we came across we stood each other treat;
We swore eternal friendship over every glass of beer,
Until for want of eatables we both fell very queer.
My dear old pal suggested we'd go in for some pork pie,
With nice hot rum to wash it down, as we felt very dry;
But somehow they did not agree, my pal commenced to frown.
And as he was so sleepy, in the gutter be laid down.

Chorus.
For we'd both been there before many a time, many a time!
We'd both been there before many a "time!
You laugh and sing and feel like a king when you lie on your back in the slime!
And we'd both been there before many a time, many a time.

A policeman read a sermon on the fruits of drink And crime,
So my pal paid for whiskies, I drank mine every time;
The "copper " knew me very well, so he to me did say,
"I'll have to run you in unless you both can walk away!"
We tried to chalk some drinks up, but as we had nothing more,
The "bouncer out "produced his toe and we went through the door;
We'd spent a "hundred "since we left the house that very morn.
And as we'd nothing more we put our watches into pawn.

Chorus.
For they'd both been there before many a time, many a time
They'd both been there before many a time!
My pal got fifty and four "on his. but only a "dollar "on mine;
And we'd both been there before many a time, many a time.

Then Spifkens said, "I think it is a treat to be alive.
We won't go home until we blow this blessed "fifty-five;"
We went into a music hall and loudly we did shout.
As each performer pleased us till they had to throw us out.
Then all seems blank for what occurred I really cannot tell,
I know I woke next morning with a headache in a cell;
Both lined a "ten "or fourteen days, the cell then we must tread,
We asked him what we'd done for it? be looked at us and said:

Chorus.
You've both been here la-fore many a time, many a time!
You've both been here before many a time!
And the very next time you visit me here you'll not have the option of fine,
For you've both been here before many a time, many a time.