IF THEY EVER PUT A TAX ON LOVE
(Music: Nat Osborne / Lyrics: Sam Erlich)


Henry Lewis - 1918
Prince's Band - 1918


Mister William Brown hadn't been to town
And his sweetheart wondered why
For she longed to see a play
Or to dance 'round at a cabaret
She called him on the telephone
And said, "I hate to be alone"
So Mister Brown came in to town
And gave her this reply

There's a tax on sugar
And there's a little tax on honey
Why, they even tax your money
It seems so funny when they tax your honey and your money too
There's a tax on letters, soon there'll be a tax on stars above
Broadway farmers will be out of place
'Cause there'll be no chickens there to chase
Goodbye forever, if they ever put a tax on love

Mister William Brown has to stay in town
'Cause he married her one night
He said the safest plan
Is to be a happy married man
So after things had run their course
She sued him for a quick divorce
Now Mister Brown stays out of town
And writes her when he can

There's a tax on sugar
And there's a little tax on honey
Why, they even tax your money
It seems so funny when they tax your honey and your money too
There's a tax on letters, soon there'll be a tax on stars above
All old maids who never had a chance
Would grab onto anything in pants
Goodbye forever, if they ever put a tax on love 







(Contributed by Mel Priddle - June 2011)