American Old Time Song Lyrics: 42 Kellys Bicycle Song
Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 42
KELLY'S BICYCLE SONG.
Copyright, 1893, by T. B. Harms & Co.
Written and Composed by John Kelly.
I'm the luckiest man on top of earth In gambling of all kind,
I bought a raffling ticket at a church fair, do ye mind;
A prize went with each ticket, 'twas a lott'ry, fair And square,
From shoestrings to pianos grand, the devil's own things were there,
Last week they had the drawing, they told me that I won;
Says they, "O'Mara, you're a 'bute,' you're going to have some fun."
"Now what the divil Is it, boys?" I quickly did inquire;
"It's a high-toned safety bicycle, with a big rheumatic tire!"
Chorus.
Talk about riding billy-goats, or riding on a rail,
Or trying to ride a cowboy horse, where you hold on by the tail;
I've tried one and all, had many a fall, so take my word,
There's nothing so mean as that divil's machine, the bicycle.
I have tried for hours, in my back yard, but couldn't mount the seat,
I frightened all the children when I went out on the street;
And after many bumps and thumps I thought I'd learned the knack,
But dashed into a street car and knocked it off the track.
Next day I tried the country for twenty miles about.
When all at once I struck a rock, And all the wind flew out;
I had no air-pump with me, like a jay I sat alone,
I shouldered mister bicycle and I walked the whole way home - Chorus.