Lyr Req: Wait Till I'm as Old as Father (Williams)

Subject: Lyr Req: When I'm As Old as Father
From: GUEST,Charles Colyer
Date: 12 Oct 05 - 04:35 PM

When I was singing recently for the folks at a personal care home a gentleman came up after the performance and asked me if I knew this song. He wondered if I would sing it the next time I visited the home. I believe this might be an old English Music Hall song but I have neither the lyrics nor the melody. The title might also be "When I Get As Old As Father" or "When I Get As Old as Father-ather". Could someone out there help me with this request?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When I'm As Old as Father
From: Joe Offer
Date: 12 Oct 05 - 06:22 PM

Hi, Charles - so far, what I've found is that the song is titled "Wait Till I'm As Old As Father," recorded by Billy Williams in 1915.
I don't have time to check it out just now, but it appears that you might be able to download the Billy Williams recording here (click). If you find the lyrics before I do or get inspired to transcribe from the recording, please be sure to post them here.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When I'm As Old as Father
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 16 Oct 05 - 04:53 PM

Am I missing something? I went to the site that Joe provided the link to, and I seem to be on the right page, but I can't figure out what I'm supposed to click to make the song play or download.

Billy Williams' recording of WAIT TILL I'M AS OLD AS FATHER is included in the various-artists compilation "Boiled Beef & Cabbage: Australian Stars of the International Music Hall," Larriken CD #325, 1994. I transcribed this from a sound sample:

...holiday,
Dad took me round the town one night and he got very gay.
He had some scotch and sodas, quite a dozen, I'm afraid,
While I was thirsting myself out on rotten lemonade;
But wait till I'm as old as Father, rather. Wait till I'm as old as Dad.
Just as sure as my name's Jim,
I'll be doing the same as him,
Having some scotch and sodas. When the time comes, I'll....

Subject: Lyr Add: WAIT TILL I'M AS OLD AS FATHER (Williams)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 17 Oct 05 - 09:22 AM

See this Billy Williams discography that has several playable recordings, including 2 versions of WAIT TILL I'M AS OLD AS FATHER. I chose the first one to transcribe, from 1913. The second, from 1914, is nearly the same, but each chorus is only sung once, and the "patter" is somewhat different.

WAIT TILL I'M AS OLD AS FATHER
Billy Williams, 1913.

1. I'm sixteen years of age today, a nice age, you'll admit.
I don't know much about things, but I know a little bit.
I go about with Dad so much and see some sights, you bet,
Although I've never had a nice girl call me Duckie yet.

[CHORUS:] But wait till I'm as old as Father, rather.
Wait till I'm as old as Dad.
Just as sure as my name's Jim,
I'll be doing the same as him,
Flirting with all the ladies.
When the time comes, I'll be glad.
And I'll be stopping at the office very late,
Just like the dear old Dad. [REPEAT CHORUS]

[SPOKEN:] The old rascal! Ah, he's a dear old sport, though.

2. When Mother dear was once away upon her holiday,
Dad took me round to see the sights and he got very gay.
He had some scotch and sodas, quite a dozen, I'm afraid,
While I was thirsting myself out on rotten lemonade.

[CHORUS:] But wait till I'm as old as Father, rather.
Wait till I'm as old as Dad.
Just as sure as my name's Jim,
I'll be doing the same as him,
Having some scotch and sodas.
When the time comes, I'll be glad.
And I'll go to bed with my trousers on,
Just like the dear old Dad.

Wait till I'm as old as Father, rather.
Wait till I'm as old as Dad.
Just as sure as my name's Jim,
And my name's Billy—that sounds silly, doesn't it?
When the time comes, I'll be glad.
And I'll go to bed with my trousers on,
Or also my boots!

[SPOKEN:] Oh, well, I don't care what I do today. Do you, Mother?

3. We've got a pretty nurse at home. She is a little dear.
She blushes like a beetroot every time that Father's near.
Once I was in the nursery. It's not my proper place,
But I saw Father kiss her twice and call her Angel Face.

CHORUS: So wait till I'm as old as Father, rather.
Wait till I'm as old as Dad.
Just as sure as my name's Jim,
I'll be doing the same as him,
Calling the nursie Angel.
When the time comes, I'll be glad,
And if she isn't pretty, well, I'll give her the sack.
Just like the dear old Dad. [REPEAT CHORUS]

[The orchestra stops and he begins singing the following chorus a cappella, but it degenerates into drunken arrhythmic speech with intermittent laughter.]

Oh, wait till I'm as old as Father, rather.
Wait till I'm as old as Dad.
I'm following my father's footsteps.
I'm following the dear old Dad.
He's just in front with a nice young girl.
Oh, I want one as well.
I don't know where he's going, and I'm not going to tell anybody here tonight.
Dear old dad! What a great old sport he is, eh?
I'm following my father's footsteps. No telling!
Well, goodnight, everybody!
Do the same as I'll do this evening!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Wait Till I'm as Old as Father (Williams)
From: GUEST,Charles Colyer
Date: 17 Oct 05 - 05:45 PM

Thank you, Joe, for setting me on the right path. I listened to your suggested site and found the recording was exactly the one I was looking for. Billy Williams was a charming entertainer and it's a shame he had to die in 1915 at age 37. I'm sure he was much appreciated in his day. I haven't had any time to transcribe the words to the song as I've had several busy days of singing and piano playing recently. However, it was great of Jim Dixon to take the time to transcribe a version of this song. Now, all I have to do is learn it before Friday! Thanks again to both of you for your help.

Charles