American Old Time Song Lyrics: 38 A Lament On The Popular Ta Ra Ra Boom De Ay Oh Ta Ra Ra

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 38

-song lyrics
A Lament on the Popular "Ta-ra-ra-Boom-de-ay!" OH, TA-RA-RA.
Copyright. 1892 by Frank Tousey.
Written and Composed by Walter Tilbury.
Arranged by Monroe H. Rosenfeld.

I almost wish that I was deaf or dead, indeed I do;
Though this may seem a very, very funny thing to say,
Ev'rywhere I hear it, no matter where I go,
That awful tune, "Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay!"
My wife wakes me each morning by singing it to me,
With voice about as pretty as the song.
Half my life I'd forfeit just to get a little peace.
For nothing else I hear the whole day long.

Chorus.
Oh! ta-ra-ra, oh! ta-ra-ra, oh! ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay!
It makes me feel so sad;
I'm sure I shall go mad thro' this terrible "Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay!"

I'd like to know what I have done, it must be something bad,
That I must merit punishment, alas, that's so severe;
I've contemplated suicide, 'most anything I'd do
To stop that tune from falling on my ear.
A dismal little organ, with monkey on the top,
Doth groan this lovely air outside my door.
No sooner has he gone than a German band will start
To play all out of tune this song once more.-Chorus

I thought I'd go to Boston to recruit my health and strength,
The both of which were failing fast and getting worse each day;
The stirring tones in op'ra met my ears when I arrived,
That echoed forth "Ta-ra-ra-booin-de-ay! "
I can't escape it, then," said I, "no matter where I go,
It seems to be no use for me to try.
If in the next world I were sure they did not play this tune,
Without a feeling of regret I'd die." - Chorus.