It’s lovely to be in love

AKA It’s s’luvly to be in love.
I’m in love
First Published 1915
Writer/composer Clifford Harris / James. W. Tate Roud RN34989

Music Hall Performers Clarice Mayne, Jay Laurier
Folk performances Collected from the singing of:
Edwards, Mrs Mary (Molly); Ireland: County Kerry; 1982		 

I'm feeling so funny, all over the same
I'm in love, I'm in love
It's all through a boy, and I don't know his name
I'm in love, I'm in love
I looked at him mushy like, that let him loose
The he said to me, 'I do like you'
I giggled and then I said, You are a goose.'
He said, 'Yes, and I feel goosey too.'

I'm in love, I'm in love
You can tell by the look in my eye
I'm in love, I'm in love
Oh it's nice to be kissed on the sly
Don't know why, I feel fine
It's divine when you stroll with the moon up above
Oh, It's lovely to tease, and It's lovely to squeeze
Oh, It's lovely to be in love.

We went for a walk and I said to myself
I'm in love, I'm in love
So now I don't want to be left on the shelf
I'm in love, I'm in love
We came to a stile and we sat on the top
Then I smiled and he smiled me a smile
He kissed me and something inside me went pop
I kissed him and fell off the stile.

A song associated with two singers in the early 20th century, Halls: Clarice Mayne and Jay Laurier. Clarice was licensed to sing the song in the Music Halls while Laurier sang it in pantomime. The sheet music contains both versions including the lengthy patter that Laurier used in his version. Both were recorded on vinyl and you can hear them in the YouTube clips below. It’s likely that the song was originally written for Claris Mayne, the music was composed by her husband and accompanist James W Tate

In 1982 it was collected from Irish traditional singer Mrs Mary Edwards – you can hear her singing a short extract on the Muckross House website

Mr . Jay Laurier , in the character of Simple  Simon, discharges with apparent ease and decided success his heavy responsibilities as chief comedian. His quaint and original manner of rendering of the popular ditties It’s lovely to be in love and I saw six short soldiers his wonderful facial expressions and ever-resourceful by-plays and gags, keep the audience in the merriest of veins beginning from to end .

[Review of Jack Horner pantomime at The Marlborough] The Stage – Thursday 13 January 1916

Sources:

  • VWML entry
  • Kilgarrif Sing Us
  • Lyrics and Sheet Music: monologues.co.uk and Francis and Day’s 35th Annual
  • https://www.musichallcds.co.uk/cdr75_page.htmLOVELY