The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #34438   Message #3861588
Posted By: Jim Dixon
18-Jun-17 - 11:20 AM
Thread Name: Songs to Speed the Parting Spouse
Subject: Lyr Add: I HAD SOMEONE ELSE BEFORE I HAD YOU
JenEllen suggested and quoted this on 17 May 2001:
From an apparently bootlegged copy of the sheet music, here:


I HAD SOMEONE ELSE BEFORE I HAD YOU,
(AND I'LL HAVE SOMEONE AFTER YOU'RE GONE)
Words by Harry Harris & Joe Darcy, music by Jack Stanley, ©1924.

[VERSE] Don't you think you're gonna be missed when you go away.
It seems to me
You seem to be
In love with someone else,
And though I know it's true,
It doesn't make me blue.
You think I'd grieve
If you would leave
And scratch me off your list,
But when you're goin',
Just be knowin'
You're never gonna be missed.

[CHORUS 1] I had someone else before I had you,
And I'll have someone after you're gone,
A sweetheart or streetcar don't worry me.
There'll soon be another along.
You needn't stay.
Go any day.
I've got a swingin' door in my heart that swings either way.
I had someone else before I had you,
And I'll have someone after you're gone.

[CHORUS 2] Right to the end, just like a friend
I tried to warn you somehow
But you had your way, and now you must pay
I'm so glad that you're sorry now
Now I ask you, clear your bunk
Pack all your junk
Won't take you long; look, you're standing in the middle of your trunk
You know I had someone else before I had you,
And I'll have somebody else after you're gone.

[TAG] Just watch this red-hot mama.
I'll carry on after you've gone.

[There were early recordings by:
Ben Bernie and His Orchestra, 1925
Benson Orchestra of Chicago, 1925
Gene Rodemich's Orchestra, 1925
Lou Gold and His Orchestra, 1925
Lucille Hegamin, 1925
The Goofus Five (instrumental), 1925
Tremaine Brothers, 1925

The most complete vocal version I have found is by Lucille Hegamin. She sings an extra verse not shown above, but the sound quality is so poor, I would have a hard time transcribing it.