Title: American Old Time Song Lyrics
Subject: Traditional & Folk Music
Author: www.traditionalmusic.co.uk
Keywords: Old time music, American, oldtimey, bluegrass

On Principle - song lyrics 
American Old-time song lyrics from www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
ON PRINCIPLE. Copyright, 1891, by Francis, Day & Hunter. Written and Composed by Arthur Seldon. 
Now, I may as well mention I'm singing this song-on principle; You may all rest assured I shall sing nothing wrong-on principle. When the author a letter sent, saying he'd call For his money, I thought thro' the floor I should fall; But I wired: "Needn't come; I pay no one at all-on principle. 
All the jokes about policeman with laughter we greet-on principle; They, we know, take a pride in their fairy-like feet-on principle. But, in spite of our sarcasm, we must allow That both caution And wisdom they show, for somehow They always turn up at the end of a row-on principle. 
In my youth I was mashed by a sweet rural maid-on principle; 'Neath her window I once sang a short serenade-on principle. But the seventeenth verse I had hardly begun, When she tenderly whispered, "Pa's loading his gun," I at once said, "Ta-ta, love! it's time for a run-on principle." 
When chaps start for a chowder they hire a big brake-on principle; And to cheer up the horses, a cornet they take-on principle. Coming home, they are "full up "on lager And stout-It, perhaps, comes on raining, at which they all shout: "Ooray! we shall get wet both inside And out" -on principle. 
Now beware of card sharpers wherever you go-on principle; When invited by strangers to play spoof, say "No!"-on principle. Don't be fooled by pretexts of fair play they evince-I myself once was "had," but I've made a rule since To play baccarat with no one else but the Prince-on principle. 
It's already been mentioned I'm singing this song-on principle; Well, I've just had the tip not to make it too long-on principle. I, from singing too much, should most certainly shrink; Besides it's convenient just now, for I think It's about time I went out and got a big drink-on principle.