ALWAYS LEAVE THEM LAUGHING WHEN YOU SAY GOOD-BYE
Words and music by George M. Cohan
New York: F.A. Mills, ©1903.
"One of the musical hits from Geo. M. Cohan's latest play, 'Little Johnny Jones' "

1. My Dad would never preach to me.
In fact, he'd never teach to me
The different things that I should do when I'd be here and there.
In fact, he said, "Go on alone.
You have ideas of your own.
You'll never lose if you will use the other fair and square."
That's just as far as he'd advise,
Till one day to my surprise,
I went to say that I was going to other lands to live,
And as I went to say goodbye,
He saw a teardrop in my eye.
Said he, "My lad, ah! that's too bad. I've some advice to give:

CHORUS: Always leave them laughing when you say goodbye.
Never linger long about,
Or else you'll wear your welcome out.
When you meet a fellow with a tear-dimmed eye,
You can leave him laughing if you try.
When he tells his troubles, interrupt him with a joke.
Tell him one he's never heard,
And he'll declare that its a bird.
When he's giggling good, you know,
That's the time to turn and go.
Always leave them laughing when you say goodbye!"

2. Said Dad, "Whene'er you hear a joke,
Just laugh as if you're going to choke
And make the teller think that he has told you something new."
Said he, "I never went to school, but still I have a golden rule:
To always laugh at others as you'd have them laugh at you.
Don't sympathise with anyone,
But turn their troubles into fun.
When ev'rybody's pouting, that's the time to wear a smile.
No matter if you're rich or broke,
Just treat the whole thing as a joke.
Everybody likes the man who's laughing all the while."