American Old Time Song Lyrics: 40 I Wish I Hadnt Done It

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 40

I WISH I HADN'T DONE IT.
Copyright, 1893. by Holzmann & Sternberg.
Words and Music by A. Holzmann.

Of all the luckless chaps alive I think I take the palm,
For where a dozen would escape I surely come to harm.
For instance as I chanced to roam, a maiden fair I met
Who asked me, would I see her home? What happened I forget.

Chorus.
But I wish I hadn't done it, so I do;
I had nothing left next morning but one shoe,
The rest had taken flight in the stillness of the night;
I wish I hadn't done it, so I do.

Last Saturday I drew my pay and went upon a spree,
Inviting several men I met to go along with me;
We saw me sights in every phaze, drank every drink that's known,
From beer on draught to champagne maze, and drinks of like renown.

Chorus.
But I wish I hadn't done it, so I do,
For my head a dozen sizes larger grew;
To my eyes strange sights abound, in my ears strange noises sound;
I wish I hadn't done it, so I do.

I went to see a base-ball game (I'm very fond of sports),
But as the game was very tame I soon grew out of sorts.
"Hi, fellers, play good ball!" yelled I, "your pitcher is a jay."
Then at me all that crowd did cry, "Go, pitch yourself!" cried they.

Chorus.
But I wish I hadn't done it, so I do;
I wished base ball in (glory) ere that game was through,
I had to dodge and prance, then they called an ambulance.
I wish I hadn't done it, so I do.

Of politics I'm very fond, in fact a leading crack;
So thought as senator to stand at the polls I'd lake a whack.
I spent all money that I had, my wife's and children's, too,
Upon the chaps who'd pat my back and said "We'll pull you through."

Chorus.
But I wish I hadn't done it, so I do,
Though, truth to tell, those chaps did pull me through:
But the ballot box was broke, as was I, and that's no joke.
I wish I hadn't done it, so I do.

I try to do the best I can to help my friends along,
To lend a hand I happy am, I'd do no one a wrong;
Last month a fellow came to me whose future looked so dim
That, of the pain his mind to free, I indorsed some notes for him.

Chorus.
But I wish I hadn't done it, so I do;
He skipped, I have to meet the notes when due;
My heart is full of woe, I'm mortgaged head to toe.
I wish I hadn't done it, so I do.