American Old Time Song Lyrics: 47 Johnsons Bicycles

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 47

JOHNSON'S BICYCLES.
Copyright, 1896, by The S. Bralnard's Sons Co.
Words by Paul West. Music by Frank Pallma.

Oh, Mister Johnson was a man who lived next door to me;
He had a lovely family, as happy as could be:
But Johnson's home is now a wreck, his family do not speak.
And all these dreadful things took place within a single week,
For Johnson saw a bicycle upon one fatal day;
Said he, "I have a bright idea, I'll use It right away;
I'll fit my family out with wheels; we'll make a show that's fine;"
And so he telephoned down town for Columbia bikes for nine.

Refrain.
One for him, a daisy; and one for Missis J.;
One for little Jimmie, and the rest the self-same way;
Said he, "We'll show the neighbors, when they sit down to dine,
And see us all go whirling by on Columbias built for nine.

Twas at a quarter after six, the family started out;
They cut a very brilliant dash, of that there's not a doubt:
With Johnson riding at their head, they spread across the street,
And all the neighbors envied them, they looked so gay and neat,
But, sad to tell, upon the road there was a great big hump;
the Johnson family knew It not until there was a bamp:
They struck upon it all at once-I wonder they're not dead,
But, oh, you should have seen the bump upon each Johnson's head.

Refrain.
One for him, a daisy; and one for Misses J.;
One for little Jimmie, and the rest the self-same way:
They did surprise the neighbors, when they sat down to dine.
To see them whirling through the air on Columbian built for nine.

But what a change came o'er the group, that started gay and bright;
The Colombia hikes came out O. K., the family was a sight;
They picked up Johnson and the kids in pieces from the wreck,
With every injury except a dislocated neck;
But none could think of any name just bad enough to call
Poor Johnson-to, for spite, they turned his picture to the wall;
They're all so lame they cannot walk. from father down to son;
They go about on crutches now, the Johnsons every one.

Refrain.
One for him, a daisy; and one for Missis J :
One for little Jimmie, and the rest the self-same way:
It does surprise the neighbors, when they sit down to dine,
To see the Johnsons hobbling out on crutches built for nine.