You can hear this song at the Internet Archive.


ASK ME ANOTHER
Words and music by B.G. De Sylva, Lew Brown and Ray Henderson, ©1927.
As recorded by Billy Jones & Ernest Hare (The Happiness Boys), 1927.

[Spoken dialog:]
—Ernest, I’d like to ask you a question.
—Well, go right ahead, Bill.
—What is the difference between a red onion and a white onion?
—Well, now, I don’t know.
—You don’t know?
—No.
—(laughs) You don’t know your onions! (laughs).
—Ask me another, Bill.
—I will.
—And listen to me. You know...

[Singing dialog:]
There’s a book of questions that’s quite a fad today.
—“Ask Me Another,” Ernie. That’s what you’re going to say.
—I’d like to ask some questions, Bill; it may be quite a task.
—I’ll bet I know the answers, so go ahead and ask.

—Well, who discovered Washington in 1492?
—Why, the Pennsylvania Railroad. Ask me another!
—Well, in the war of 1812, just what did Pershing do?
—Eighteen holes. Now, ask me another!
—What famous song begins with “’Neath the spreading chestnut tree”?
—Why, that was just “The Nut Song” from “Pimento by the Sea.”
—Well, which of us is crazy? Is it you or is it me?
—You. Ask me another, but don’t get personal.

[Spoken dialog:]
—Well, now, I’ll try not, William.
—Yes, please.

[Singing dialog:]
—You know, first the crossword puzzle was driving people mad.
—“Ask Me Another” will soon be just as bad.
—Just get a book of questions; most anyone can play.
—Though no one knows the answers, just ask them anyway.

—Well, what is square and round on top and has another shape?
—That’s easy. My Ford car. Ask me another!
—Well, who invented noodle soup, and how did he escape?
—Macaroni. Now, ask me another!
—Now, why do single fellows always lead a double life?
—Why, after they are married, why, the peas roll off their knife.
—Did Sherman say that war was his(?)?—No, no! That was his wife.
—Yeah?—Ask me another!—All right; I’ll get you yet.

[Singing together, in harmony:]
Who wrote “Madame Butterfly” and did she get his note?
Four out of five. Ask us another!
What barber wrote that ballad: “Cut Yourself a Piece of Throat”?^[*]
The Barber of Seville; ask us another!
Now, where was Andrew Volstead born and can you tell me why?
Why, out in the Sahara where the weather’s always dry.
Our answers are all perfect so we lay us down and die.
That’s all there is folks; there isn’t any more.


* a reference to another Jones & Hare song: "Cut Yourself a Piece of Cake."