Oh! I must go home tonight

AKA I must go home tonight
First Published 1909
Writer/composer William Hargreaves Roud RN30190

Music Hall Performers Billy Williams
Folk performances Collected from the singing of:
George Dodds; England : Yorkshire; 1941
Percy Brown; England : Norfolk 1959
Modern performances
Stanley Holloway

OH! I MUST GO HOME TONIGHT

Jones was a fellow who went the pace with all his youthful might.
He took a great delight in staying out all night.
When people were thinking of going to bed, around the West he'd roam.
He'd go to Clubs or go to Pubs but never would go home.
But one night inside the club, he gave his pals a fright
When he said "I'm going home" and bid them all goodnight.
They thought that he was joking and they all laughed out aloud,
But Jones looked very serious as he shouted to the crowd:

Oh I must go home tonight. I must go home tonight.
I don't care if its snowing, blowing; I'm going.
I only got married this morning and it fills me with delight.
I'll stop out as long as you like next week, but I must go home tonight.

Off to the station he made a dash to ask about his train
To take him home again, but he asked all in vain.
They said, "There's none running at all tonight to where you want to go.
All service is suspended for the line's blocked up with snow."
He walked up and down the platform, anything but gay.
Said he "I would walk home if I only knew the way"
A porter said "You'll have to wait till morning, I'm afraid."
But Jones said, "That's impossible. I cannot be delayed."

Out of the station he made a dive and on the street did land.
He yelled and waved his hand for a taxi off the stand.
He gave his address to the driver and in confidence agreed
To pay him half a sovereign if he put on extra speed.
But smash went the taxi, for the speed was far too high.
Said Jones, "I don't live up here" as he shot up in the sky.
He fell down on the pavement and a policeman said below
"We can take you to a hospital" but Jones Whispered "No!"

An early 20th century comic song from the Halls made famous by  the extremely successful performer and recording artist Billy Williams. It seems to have remained popular with amateur pub singers well into the second half of the 20th century.

It was recorded from the singing of George Dowds in 1941 at The Star Inn, Harome,Yorkshire for a broadcast by the BBC.

As recorded by Billy Williams in 1913:

Sources: