He'd Have to Get Under Get Out and Get Under to Fix Up His Automobile Maurice Abrahams

He'd Have to Get Under Get Out and Get Under to Fix Up His Automobile

by Mary Katherine May of QualityMusicandBooks.com

A long title and wordy song by Maurice Abrahams and published by Maurice Abrahams.  Though there is no consistent meter (it seems) and little rhyming which to me at least seems odd for the genre and era of the song, it works.  CLICK HERE to listen to a recording by Billy Murray on Archive.org.  CLICK HERE for free sheet music download.

Music: Maurice Abrahams (1883-1931)

Words: Grant Clarke (1891-1931), Edgar Leslie (1885-1976)

Sung by: Al Jolson (1913), Billy Murray (1914), Bobby North (1920)

Copyright: 1913 by Maurice Abrahams Music Co., Inc. This edition: ca. 1920 (based upon reference to Bobby North)

Cover Art: Edward H. Pfeiffer (1868-1932)

Photo Inset: Anna Miller

Cover Reference: Bobby North’s Terrific Hit!

Poor Johnny O'Connor is unlucky in love. He has transportation and women who want to go for a ride with him, but Johnny's old jalopy keeps breaking down. Instead of cuddling up with his sweetheart in the car, Johnny is under the car in his Sunday clothes with dirt on his back side and grease above trying to get his machine to work.  

Johnny O’Connor bought an automobile,

He took his sweetheart for a ride one Sunday,

Johnny was togged up in his best Sunday clothes,

She nestled close to his side,

Things went just dandy ‘till he go down the road,

Then something happened to the old machinery,

That engine got his goat,

Off went his hat and coat,

Ev’rything needed repairs.

CHORUS

He’d have to get under, get out and get under

To fix his little machine,

He was just dying to cuddle his queen,

But ev’ry minute when he’d begin it,

He’d have to get under, get out and get under,

Then he’d get back at the wheel

A dozen times they’d start to hug and kiss

And then the darned old engine it would miss

And then he’d have to get under, get out and get under,

And fix up his automobile.

Millionaire Wilson said to Johnny one day,

Your little sweetheart don’t appreciate you,

I have a daughter who is hungry for love,

She likes to ride by the way,

Johnny had visions of a million in gold,

He took her riding in his little old auto,

But ev’ry time that he

Went to say, “marry me,”

‘Twas the old story again.