Billy Murray - On The Old Fall River Line (1913)

Billy Murray

"On The Old Fall River Line"

Victor 17427

1913

Words by William Jerome & Andrew B. Sterling

Music by Harry Von Tilzer

Talk about your spooning and mooning.
Take a trip to Boston. It's fine.

Sailing up the bay, boys (hurrah, boys),
I was on the upper deck when I met mine.

I said, "Sue, in your sailor suit,
you look perfectly cute!"

On the old Fall River line, on the old Fall River line,
I fell for Susie’s line of talk, and Susie fell for mine.

Then we fell in with a parson,
and he tied us tight as twine.

But I wish, oh Lord, I fell overboard
on the old Fall River line.

When the boat is landing, they're standing--
spooners by the dozen and more while the
Captain's calling and bawling
"Is there anybody wants to go ashore?"

Everybody just answered then,
"Turn the boat 'round again!"

The song is about the Fall River Line of steamships between New York and Newport, Rhode Island, which connected with trains from Newport to Boston.

Von Tilzer had often traveled the line and was inspired by honeymooners.

There is a comic twist to the idea of married bliss since chorus has this cynical line: 'But I wish...I fell overboard on the old Fall River Line.'"