The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #122704   Message #2693692
Posted By: Genie
04-Aug-09 - 03:09 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: Ma! (He's Making Eyes At Me!)
Subject: Lyr Add: Ma! (He's Making Eyes At Me!)
Part of the lyrics to this song have been posted in the Flirting Songs thread, but Eddie Cantor includes another chorus variation, which I think is delightful. Also, the lyrics he sings (and those in my old sheet music for the song) are slightly different from what has already been posted.

This is a staple of my Mother's Day programs as well as tributes to the Roaring Twenties or Vaudeville.

"MA". (He's Making Eyes At Me!)
(Music by Con Conrad / Lyrics by Sidney Clare ©1921)

Ma! He's makin' eyes at me,
Ma, he's awful nice to me.
Ma, he's almost breaking my heart.
I'm beside him -- Mercy! Let his conscience guide him!
Ma, he wants to marry me,
Be my honeybee.
Every minute he gets bolder --
Now he's leanin' on my shoulder!
Ma! He's kissin' me!

Little Lily was oh, so silly and shy,
And all the fellows knew she wouldn't bill and coo.
Every single night some smart fellow would try
To cuddle up to her, but she would cry,

"Ma! He's makin' eyes at me,
Ma, he's awful nice to me.
Ma, he's almost breaking my heart.
He's good-lookin' -- Wait until he tastes my cookin'!
Ma, he wants to marry me,
Be my honeybee.
Hurry, mom, and call for papa --
If not pa, then call a copper!
Ma! He's kissin' me!"

Lilly was so shy everybody could tell
She'd never ever roam, she'd always stay at home.
All the neighbors knew little Lilly so well,
'Cause when the boys would call they'd hear her yell,

"Ma! He's makin' eyes at me,
Ma, he's awful nice to me.
Ma, he's almost breaking my heart.
If you're peekin', can't you see I'm gonna weaken?
Ma, he wants to marry me,
Be my pride and joy.
I just found out his name is Daniel --
Cuter than a cocker Spaniel!
Ma, I love that boy!


----
Con Conrad, Sidney Clare
Con Conrad Music Co./EMI Mills Music, Inc.

-----------------------
I don't know if some of the lyric modifications/additions were Sidney Clare's own or from Cantor himself.

I'm also wondering if this song is public domain, since it was written in 1921.