American Old Time Song Lyrics: 36 On Principle

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 36

ON PRINCIPLE.
Copyright, 1891, by Francis, Day & Hunter.
Written and Composed by Arthur Seldon.

Now, I may as well mention I'm singing this song-on principle;
You may all rest assured I shall sing nothing wrong-on principle.
When the author a letter sent, saying he'd call
For his money, I thought thro' the floor I should fall;
But I wired: "Needn't come; I pay no one at all-on principle.

All the jokes about policeman with laughter we greet-on principle;
They, we know, take a pride in their fairy-like feet-on principle.
But, in spite of our sarcasm, we must allow
That both caution And wisdom they show, for somehow
They always turn up at the end of a row-on principle.

In my youth I was mashed by a sweet rural maid-on principle;
'Neath her window I once sang a short serenade-on principle.
But the seventeenth verse I had hardly begun,
When she tenderly whispered, "Pa's loading his gun,"
I at once said, "Ta-ta, love! it's time for a run-on principle."

When chaps start for a chowder they hire a big brake-on principle;
And to cheer up the horses, a cornet they take-on principle.
Coming home, they are "full up "on lager And stout-
It, perhaps, comes on raining, at which they all shout:
"Ooray! we shall get wet both inside And out" -on principle.

Now beware of card sharpers wherever you go-on principle;
When invited by strangers to play spoof, say "No!"-on principle.
Don't be fooled by pretexts of fair play they evince-
I myself once was "had," but I've made a rule since
To play baccarat with no one else but the Prince-on principle.

It's already been mentioned I'm singing this song-on principle;
Well, I've just had the tip not to make it too long-on principle.
I, from singing too much, should most certainly shrink;
Besides it's convenient just now, for I think
It's about time I went out and got a big drink-on principle.