American Old Time Song Lyrics: 36 Something Went Wrong With The Works

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 36

SOMETHING WENT WRONG WITH THE WORKS.
Written and Composed by Punch Browne.
Sung by Arthur Corney.

I'm in an awful rage to-night-in fact, I'm nearly mad-
Last week I bought a watch, and now I find that I've In en had.
The swindling wretch who sold it me spoke loudly in its praise;
The precious thing went on all right for just about two days. Then

Chorus.
Something went wrong with the works.
Something went wrong with the works.
The spring went crash and all to smash.
And all the wheels came out;
Something went wrong with the works-
In fact, I really doubt
If you'll buy a watch for a dollar without
Something goes wrong with the works.

A friend of mine-a wealthy chap-once owned a sailing-yacht;
He asked me, "Have you been to sea?" I told him I had not.
He took me for a little sail, I felt so calm and brave;
I laughed And sung "Y'heave ho!"until we met a great big wave. And

Chorus.
Something went wrong with the works,
Something went wrong with the works,
The bottled-beer came right up here,
And this part rolled about;
Something went wrong with the works-
In fact, I really doubt
If the poor little fishes could live without
Something went wrong with the works.

Some years ago I truly loved a girl named Sarah Maggs,
And went to "pop the question" in a brand-new pair of "bags";
The "bags" were tight, And I felt quite as handsome as you please;
The precious thing went on all right till I went on my knees. And

Chorus.
Something went wrong with the works.
Something went wrong with the works.
For when I bent the buttons went,
And all the seams came out;
Something went wrong with the works.
And Sarah gave a shout.
Now I should have married that girl, no doubt,
But something went wrong with the works.

My wife and I get on first-class-in fact, we always did;
There's only one thing I don't like, she makes me nurse the kid;
To-day she said, "You take the child, whilst I to mother's go;
I nursed the child, 'twas good as gold for just an hour or so. Then

Chorus.
Something went wrong with the works.
Something went wrong with the works;
He scratched my nose and tore my clothes.
Began to scream and snout;
Something went wrong with the works-
In fact, I really doubt
If a man can nurse a kiddy without
Something goes wrong with the works.