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by George Cooper (1840 - 1927)

If you've only got a moustache
Language: English 
Oh! all of you poor single men, 
Don't ever give up in despair, 
For there's always a chance while there's life 
To capture the hearts of the fair, 

No matter what may be your age, 
You always may cut a fine dash, 
You will suit all the girls to a hair 
If you've only got a moustache, 
A moustache, a moustache, 
If you've only got a moustache. 

No matter for manners or style, 
No matter for birth or for fame, 
All these used to have something to do 
With young ladies changing their name.

There's no reason now to despond, 
Or go and do any thing rash, 
For you'll do though you can't raise a cent, 
If you'll only raise a moustache! 
A moustache, a moustache, 
If you'll only raise a moustache. 

You head may be thick as a block, 
And empty as any foot-ball, 
Oh! your eyes may be green as the grass 
You heart just as hard as a wall. 

Yet take the advice that I give, 
You'll soon gain affection and cash, 
And will be all the rage with the girls, 
If you'll only get a moustache, 
A moustache, a moustache, 
If you'll only get a moustache. 

I once was in sorrow and tears 
Because I was jilted you know, 
So right down to the river I ran 
To quickly dispose of my woe.

A good friend he gave me advice 
And timely prevented the splash, 
Now at home I've a wife and ten heirs, 
And all through a handsome moustache, 
A moustache, a moustache, 
And all through a handsome moustache.

Text Authorship:

  • by George Cooper (1840 - 1927) [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

  • by Stephen Collins Foster (1826 - 1864), "If you've only got a moustache", published 1864. [voice and piano] [
     text verified 1 time
    ]

Researcher for this page: Laura Prichard [Guest Editor]

This text was added to the website: 2015-12-25
Line count: 40
Word count: 264

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