American Old Time Song Lyrics: 50 Before My Time

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 50

BEFORE MY TIME.
Copyright, 1892, by Chas. W. Held.
Written and Composed by T. W. Connor.

I hear people say, that we girls of to-day
Are awfully forward and fast,
That our doings these times would have counted as crimes,
In the goody old days of the past;
Such innocent things, as gold lockets and rings,
Each shy little maiden would shun;
They never made bets, nor yet smoked cigarettes,
And of sweethearts they wanted but one.

Refrain.
That was before my time, you know, a long, long time ago;
For girls to wear dresses their figures to show
Was reckon'd an awful crime.
They went to tea meetings along with their Mas,
And filled up their time darning socks for their Pas;
Well, it may have been so, but it happen'd, you know, before my time.

Those model young men who could get home by ten,
And gloried in ruffles and frills;
Always made it a rule to attend Sunday school,
And to settle their landlady's bills.
Married men never swore, and their mothers-in-law
They were always delighted to see,
While girls without arts were the joy of their hearts,
And they drank nothing stronger than tea.

Refrain.
That was before my time, you know, a long, long time ago;
When fellows would faint at a boxing show,
And blush at a pantomime.
As sober as judges each night they retired,
The loan of a "V" they never required;
Well, it may have been so, but it happen'd, you know, before my time.

To look out for sport In an ancient law court
Would mean disappointment and pain.
For a promise to wed could be broken, 'tis said,
And the injured one never complain.
A jilted sweetheart never made lovers part,
To take on another rich mash;
They knew not the way to make love letters pay,
They would rather take poison than cash.

Refrain.
That was before my time, you know, a long, long time ago;
For breaches of promise were not in the show,
When Adam was in his prime.
The girls always stuck to the same old mash.
Thought more of the man than they did of his cash;
Well, it may have been so, but it happen'd, you know, before my time.