American Old Time Song Lyrics: 61 The Purity Brigade

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 61

THE PURITY BRIGADE.
Copyright, 1897, by T. B. Harms & Co.
Words by Hugh Morton. Music by Gustav Kerker.

I hope I do not shock my late converted flock
By changing to a costume that could be described as snappy,
I would not have you think that I would ever sink
From my high state of piety to anything clap trappy.
My morals have not changed, as you might guess,
The only thing that's chang'd has been my dress.
We're the ornamental Purity Brigade!
To our purity we add a little fashion;
A pretty ribbon of the proper shade
Could never hinder real religious passion,
Twould not be flash on a pretty maid.
When we fight we conquer viciousness and shame,
Our shiny trumpets going tooty, tooty:
We really do not think that we're to blame
For dressing in a style that suits our beauty,
We do our duty just the same!
Now is it not as well to be a trifle swell?
Oh, is it necessary when you're moral to be gawky?
And must a girl employ the modes that come from Troy?
Or is she not entitled to be stunningly New Yorky?
Oh, mayn't a girl be good and free from guile,
And yet be quite a corker in her style?
We're the ornamental Purity Brigade! etc.