How many fallen women does it take? (songs)

Subject: RE: How many fallen women does it take? (songs)
From: GUEST,eldergirl
Date: 14 Aug 13 - 08:26 AM

There's a song with a great tune, and last verse (I think) is;

Now all you young men who go courting
Do leave all those flash girls alone
For they'll go off and leave you,
Cruelly deceive you
Leave you with a baby that's none of your own.

Can't remember title or other verses.

Subject: Lyr Add: IT'S A MAN EVERY TIME IT'S A MAN (Dalhart
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 Feb 19 - 10:53 AM

Lyrics below are from the sheet music, which you can see at the University of Maine.


IT’S A MAN, EV’RY TIME, IT’S A MAN
Words and music by Al Dubin, Jimmy McHugh, and Irwin Dash, ©1923.

1. They call her a girl that men forget, but why should she have to pay
A debt, I know, that she doesn’t owe, while the man goes on his way?

CHORUS: For who breaks her heart like a child breaks a toy?
It’s a man, ev’ry time; it’s a man.
And who brings her sorrow and takes all her joy?
It’s a man, ev’ry time; it’s a man.
If he makes a blunder, the whole world forgives,
But she has to suffer as long as she lives,
And who is to blame if her head hangs in shame?
It’s a man, ev’ry time; it’s a man.

2. This life is a game we have to play, and hearts are sometimes the stakes,
But why are men so quick to condemn the mistakes a woman makes?

* * *
[You can hear Vernon Dalhart’s 1924 recording of this song at the Internet Archive. He omits verse 2 and inserts this recitation over orchestral accompaniment, which is not in the sheet music:]

There is good in the worst of us, bad in the best,
And at judging a woman, we are just like the rest.
We’ll say, for example, a mistake has been made.
It’s the way of the world that a price must be paid.
The man is forgiven, yes, time after time,
But what she pays is greater by far than the crime;
And though she may repent, still she hasn’t a friend,
And the finger of scorn points her out till the end;
And though it is only wild oats that he sowed,
The rest of her life is a long dreary road;
For the standard of morals for woman and man
Has made it a rule that she can’t though he can.

[Then he sings:]

So who is to blame if her head hangs in shame?
It’s a man, ev’ry time; it’s a man.

* * *
The Internet Archive has the following additional recordings:
Lewis James, 1924.
Henry Scott, 1924.

Subject: Lyr Add: JUST A GIRL THAT MEN FORGET
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 Feb 19 - 12:17 PM

These lyrics are from the sheet music at York University:


JUST A GIRL THAT MEN FORGET
Words and music by Al Dubin, Fred Rath, and Joe Garren, ©1923.

1. Dear little girl, they call you a vamp,
A flapper with up-to-date ways.
You may shine brightly, but just like a lamp,
You’ll burn out one of these days.
Then your old-fashioned sister will come into view,
With a husband and kiddies, but what about you?

CHORUS: You’re the kind of a girl that men forget,
Just a toy to enjoy for a while,
For when men settle down, they always get
An old-fashioned girl with an old-fashioned smile;
And you’ll soon realize, you’re not so wise,
When the years bring you tears of regret,
When they play “Here comes the bride,” you’ll be standing outside,*
Just a girl that men forget.

2. Wallflower girl, now dry all those tears,
For you won’t be left all alone.
Someday you’ll find yourself upon a throne,
Queen of a sweet little home,
And, you gay little flapper, you’ll live and you’ll learn,
When you’ve gone down the pathway that has no return.


* Most singers sing: “You’ll stand outside.”
* * *
The Internet Archive has recordings by:
Billy Jones, 1923
Charles Hart, 1923
George Beaver, 1923
Henry Burr, 1923
Irene Audrey and Emily Earle, 1923
Jim Doherty, 1923
Lewis James, 1923
Vernon Dalhart, 1923
Jimmie Davis, 1937
Fran Warren and Lisa Kirk, 1950
Sammy Kaye and his Swing and Sway Orchestra, n/d

Various discographies list lots more recordings by various artists.

Subject: Lyr Add: IF YOU KNEW HER SIDE OF THE STORY
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 Feb 19 - 05:05 PM

I only heard of this song because it was advertised in the sheet music of IT’S A MAN, EV’RY TIME, IT’S A MAN – see above. I can’t find any evidence that it’s ever been recorded.

Lyrics below are from the sheet music at Baylor University:


IF YOU KNEW HER SIDE OF THE STORY
Words by Al Dubin, music by Joe Burke and Jimmy McHugh, ©1923.

1. There’s so much bad in the best of us all,
Why should we talk when the rest of us fall?
Poor little girl, just because someone lied,
Shunned by the world, I know how she has cried;
But there are two sides to a story, they say,
So why should you treat her this way?

CHORUS: If you knew her side of the story,
Then maybe you’d let her alone.
Those who live in glass houses should never throw stones,
But I’m telling you that they always do.
If you only knew what she’s gone through,
You’d learn how to live and let live;
And if you knew her side of the story,
I know you’d forget and forgive.

2. Gossiping lips fill the whole world with tears,
Shatter the dreams you’ve been weaving for years.
Poor little girl, you are old though you’re young,
Scorned by the world through a gossiping tongue;
But there are two sides to a story, I know,
So tell them wherever you go:—CHORUS

Subject: Lyr Add: NOBODY'S SWEETHEART (Kahn/Erdman/Meyers..
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 13 Feb 19 - 02:16 PM

Lyrics below are from the sheet music at York University.

NOBODY’S SWEETHEART
Words and music by Gus Kahn, Ernie Erdman, Billy Meyers & Elmer Schoebel, ©1924.

1. You were ev’rybody’s sweetheart, not so long ago,
And in our home town each boy around
Longed to be your beau;
But things are diff’rent today,
I’m mighty sorry to say:

CHORUS: You’re nobody’s sweetheart now.
They don’t baby you somehow.
Fancy hose, silken gown—
You’d be out of place in your own home town.
When you walk down the avenue,
I just can’t believe that it’s you—
Painted lips, painted eyes,
Wearing a bird of paradise.
It all seems wrong somehow,
That you’re nobody’s sweetheart now.

2. In a simple gown of gingham, I can see you still
As you went your way at close of day,
Past the old red mill.
You’re dressed in satins today,
But still your eyes seem to say: CHORUS


* * *
Tampa Red recorded this song in 1934, under the title NOBODY’S SWEETHEART NOW. He sang only the chorus, and his words were slightly different, posted here. There were many other recordings, including one by Vernon Dalhart with a dance orchestra.