American Old Time Song Lyrics: 43 Good Bye Johnnie

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 43

GOOD-BYE, JOHNNIE.
Copyright, 1894. by Frank Harding.
Words and Music by Sam Rice. Arranged by John A. Stromberg.

A father lay upon his bed, his life was ebbing fast,
His son knelt down beside him, as he watched him breathe his last;
The poor old man stretched forth his hand to pat the curly head,
In a husky voice and tones of death these parting words he said:

Chorus. (
"Good-bye. Johnnie, I'm sorry for to leave you:
Good-bye, Johnnie, don't let the parting grieve you;
For I'm going up on high to the angels in the sky,
But I'll meet you, Johnnie, in the sweet bye and bye."

Do you know little Johnnie Dunn, works in the butcher shop?
he drives the market wagon, takes the meat out for his pop.
One day the horse it wouldn't go, ev'rything he tried did fail.
So John jumped from the wagon, just to twist the horsey's tail.

Chorus.
flood bye, Johnnie, I'm sorry for to leave you;
Good-bye, Johnnie, don't let the parting grieve you.
He sailed away on high, toward the angels in the sky,
And we may meet Johnnie in the sweet bye and bye.

A dry-goods' clerk got through with work, went out upon the mash;
He met a little lady, and commenced to spend his cash.
She called him "duck "And "honey "as she watched him spend his pile;
But when he went broke, these words she spoke with a tantalizing smile:

Chorus.
"Good-bye, Johnnie, I'm sorry for to leave you;
Good-bye, Johnnie, don't let the parting grieve you."
The girl was awfully fly, and she winked the other eye,
And she layed for Johnnie in the sweet bye and bye.

John Y. McKane got there again, but goodness, how he fought;
They say that bold Johnnie did some things he didn't ought.
The people got sore on him and sent poor John away,
But when he left, the Gravesend sports were all on deck to say:

Chorus.
"Good-bye, Johnnie, sorry for to leave you;
Good-bye, Johnnie, don't let the parting grieve you;
For you know you're awfully fly, and if you'll only try,
You'll be back to Coney Island in the sweet bye and bye.

I think this song has made a hit, no turnips have been thrown;
In my career, 'tis very queer, such luck I've never known.
I hope that you are all well pleased, to do my best I've tried,
But as there's others waiting, I will have to step inside.

Chorus.
So good-bye, people, I'm sorry for to leave you;
So good-bye, people, don't let the parting grieve you;
But my throat is very dry; you are tired, so am It
But I hope that I'll meet you in the sweet bye and bye.