If you were the only girl in the world

First published 1916
Lyrics  Clifford Grey  Music Nat D. Ayer Roud RN25963

Music Hall performers George Robey and Violet Lorraine (duet) 1916
Folk performances Hall, Mabs 1989 England: Sussex 

Sometimes, when I feel bad and things look blue
I wish, a girl I had, say one like you...
Someone, within my heart to build her throne
Someone, who'd never part, to call my own
I'll try, a love to teach, dear, fond and true
I sigh, a world to reach, dear, just made for me and you

If I were the only girl in the world
And you were the only boy
Nothing else would matter in the world today
We could go on loving in the same old way
A Garden of Eden just made for two
With nothing to mar our joy
I would say such wonderful things to you
There would be such wonderful things to do
If I were the only girl in the world
And you were the only boy.

No one, I'll ever care for, dear, but you
No one, I'll fancy, therefore love me do
Your eyes, have set me dreaming all night long
Your eyes, have set me scheming, right or wrong
All days, we'll be together, side by side
Always, in any weather, whatever else betide,

If I were the only girl in the world
And you were the only boy
Nothing else would matter in the world today
We could go on loving in the same old way
A Garden of Eden just made for two
With nothing to mar our joy
I would say such wonderful things to you
There would be such wonderful things to do
If I were the only girl in the world
And you were the only boy.

Like Another little drink the song was sung as part of a hugely successful review at the Alhambra Theatre in London in 1916: The Bing Boys are Here (soon to be followed by the equally successful Bing Boys on Broadway and Bing Girls are There). The initial production followed the adventures of wide-eyed boys from the provinces, Oliver and Lucifer Bing, in London, played by George Robey and Alfred Lester.

I’m not aware of this song being taken up by many traditional singers, but Roy Palmer did record Mabs Hall singing it in 1989. Nevertheless, a song can still heard in many public singarounds.

Violet Lorraine (1887-1956) was an actress and singer who appeared in the Halls, theatrical revues and musicals. She made her stage debut in the pantomime Mother Goose at Drury Lane in 1902, and for many years was a highly successful principal boy in pantomime. She married and retired from the stage in 1921, but subsequently made a number of “comeback” appearances.

Sources:

How it sounded originally: