Lyr Req: Are We to Part Like This, Bill?

Subject: Lyr Req: Are We to Part Like This, Bill?
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 04 Dec 07 - 09:44 PM

Someone asked me in a PM for this British music-hall song. I couldn't find the whole thing, but I found a quote, which seems to be the chorus:

ARE WE TO PART LIKE THIS, BILL? (excerpt)
Harry Castling, Charles Collins

Are we to part like this, Bill? Are we to part this way?
Who's it to be, 'er or me? Don't be a-frightened to say!
If ev'rything's over between us, don't never pass me by,
'Cos you and me still friends can be, for the sake of the days gone by."

[Sung by Kate Carney, and by Emmie Joyce, both recorded in 1932.]

As far as the tune goes, there is a link on this page that will play a 1:27 sample of the tune played on an accordion:
http://www.melodylane.net/ianwhitcomb/

Can anyone supply more lyrics?

Subject: Lyr Add: FOR THE SAKE OF DAYS GONE BY (J Rodgers)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 04 Dec 07 - 09:45 PM

While searching for the above song, I ran across this American one, which has some striking similarites: they are both waltzes, the tunes are similar, the metrical structure is the same (at least in the chorus), and they contain nearly the same phrase at the end of the chorus.

Copied from http://www.lpdiscography.com/r/Rodgers/rodgers_5th-rn1060.htm

FOR THE SAKE OF DAYS GONE BY
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '30 Peer International, BMI »

You say that you are leaving, that soon we two must part.
I know that you can't mean it, for that would break my heart.
And after all, you know, I really love you so.

CHORUS: For the sake of days gone by, dear, let us start anew.
Let's be friends until the end like true sweethearts do.
Though we may have quarreled, please don't say goodbye.
Shake hands, then kiss and make up, for the sake of days gone by. YODEL

Why we should spoil our romance that lasted all these years?
Parting brings only sadness, unhappiness and tears.
I need you more each day, so please don't go away. CHORUS AND YODEL.

Subject: Lyr Add: ARE WE TO PART LIKE THIS BILL?
From: Carol
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 11:44 AM

Hope this works, these are the words that I have, an old friend used to sing this one but I have 'problems' with the tune to the verses! I love the line prosperity!!

ARE WE TO PART LIKE THIS, BILL?
Words & music by Harry Castling & Charles Collins; sung by Kate Carney

1. Three weeks ago, no longer, I was as gay as a bird on the wing,
But since me and Bill have been parted, you know, life is a blank and it's changed ev'rything.
I saw him out with another that night. None can guess how I felt at the sight.
With tears in my eyes that I tried to keep back, I crept to his side and said:

CHORUS: Are we to part like this, Bill? Are we to part this way?
Who's it to be, 'er or me? Don't be a-frightened to say.
If ev'rything's over between us, don't never pass me by,
'Cos you and me still friends can be, for the sake of the days gone by.

2. We went to school together, lived side by side, me and Bill, in the mews.
When 'e was ill, too, I stayed up for nights, nursed him—to do it I'd never refuse.
'E used to tell me his wife I should be—I never thought that he'd turn against me.
Sleeping or waking, at work or at home, I find myself murmuring this: CHORUS

3. Down in a little laundry, me and 'er work side by side every day.
She was my pal and I looked to 'er well, trusted and helped 'er in every way.
Still, if my Bill cares for 'er more than me, I wish him no harm—no, but prosperity.
I try to forget him, but each day I find these words running through my mind: CHORUS

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Are We to Part Like This, Bill?
From: GUEST,Niall Sullivan
Date: 01 Apr 10 - 11:08 AM

I have a recording of "Are we to part like this" on CD sung by Florrie Forde. The line that appears to ring a bell with the music hall historians is " 'er or me ".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Are We to Part Like This, Bill?
From: Brakn
Date: 23 Jun 15 - 04:38 PM

In the film A Night to Remember (1958) the play that tune as the Titanic sinks.

Chas and Dave also recorded it in one of their medleys.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Are We to Part Like This, Bill?
From: GUEST,Iris
Date: 24 Sep 16 - 09:56 AM

This song suddenly kept running through my mind & was driving me mad not being able to place it,my mother used to sing it at family gatherings when I was a child ,many thanks

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Are We to Part Like This, Bill?
From: Gurney
Date: 24 Sep 16 - 06:10 PM

For one moment, I thought this was about Windows!