Lyrics below are from the sheet music at Duke University. You can hear a recording of Bert Williams & George Walker singing this at The Internet Archive.


PRETTY DESDAMONE
"As successfully sung by Williams & Walker...."
Words and music by F. Collis Wildman. ©1905.

1. I wonder all the day
If I'm right when I say,
A little girl whom I love is my own.
I've had a lot of pals.
I've liked a lot of gals,
But she's the one alone,
For whom my love I've shown.
She just sets my heart a-twitching,
When with her eyes bewitching,
She looks at me as if to say she's mine.
Perhaps I stand no chance.
Maybe I'm in a trance,
But I can't help from telling her each time:

CHORUS: Pretty Desdamone,
I want you for my own.
Never more I'll roam away from you.
Your eyes so captivating,
Keep me standing here awaiting,
'Cause I want you for my own, Sweet Desdamone.

2. It seems almost too good,
To think she ever would
Be mine alone for now and evermore,
But ain't there plenty gals,
For all my other pals?
Now why can't ev'ry boy,
Leave me with my own joy?
My poor brain 'bout her is raving.
For her my heart is craving.
You all know what it is to be that way.
I can't tell how I feel.
My love for her's so real.
That's why I always say to her each day: CHORUS