American Old Time Song Lyrics: 38 I Handed It Over To Riley

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 38

I HANDED IT OVER TO RILEY.
Words by Albert Hall. Music by Felix MeGlennon.

There never were two stauncher pals
Than I and my chum Johnny Riley;
We'd booze together or flirt with gals,
And we valued each other highly;
Whenever there was any booze to be got.
Or somebody paid for the keg or pot,
I would collar the measure And gulp the lot,
Then I handed it over to Riley.

Chorus.
For Riley and I were chums, and we always shared
Black eyes or sugar-plums, the divil a hair we cared;
When there was anything nice about, take my word,
That when I had done, I handed it over to Riley.

One day while I was on a spree
Alolg with my chum Johnny Riley,
One of those men they call a "D"
Came in and surveyed us slyly,
then he grabbed me gently by the ear.
And whispered, "Young man, I've a warrant here!"
Well, I took that warrant in the greatest fear,
Then I handed it over to Riley.- Chorus.

One night I found a watch and chain
While out with my chum Johnny Riley,
And he for ids share did soon complain.
And he did it so awfully wily,
But as by a lamp we chanced to pass,
I saw by the light of the flaring gas
That the watch was gold but the chain was brass,
So the chain went over to Riley.- Chorus.

One sweet Spring morn I took a wife,
My best, of course, was Riley;
I thought she'd be the joy of my life,
For she acted so very shyly;
But I soon found that marriage was no great fun,
For she chased me 'round the house with a gun,
Till I said, "Dear madam, with you I've done,"
And I handed her over to Riley.- Chorus.