A 1919 popular song. Words and music by Jack Yellen and Milton Ager.
Sheet Music
Accompaniment
Lyrics
1. Taxes here and there, taxes everywhere
Taxes every place that they can be
Tho’ I’m getting by, still I can’t deny
There’s a tax I know would ruin me
I wrote my Congressman a note
I said, “If you want my vote”
Chorus
“Don’t put a tax on the beautiful girls
How can I live without love?
You can tax my business and all that I own
But have a little pity, leave my pleasure alone
What’ll I do on a beautiful night
If I should happen to fall?
Suppose that I’m about to kiss a beautiful maid
What if she discovers that my tax isn’t paid?
Don’t put a tax on the beautiful girls
Or I won’t get any lovin’ at all”
2. Every cent I make, tax collectors take
They don’t leave me with a single dime
I can get along, without wine or song
But I need the girlies all the time
They’re not a luxury with me
They’re a great necessity
Chorus
“Don’t put a tax on the beautiful girls
How can I live without love?
You can tax my soda, I’ll pay it somehow
But don’t you think the price of chicken’s high enough now?
What’ll I do on a beautiful night
If I should happen to fall?
But if you have to put a tax on beautiful “vamps”
Let me be the guy who goes around with the stamps
Don’t put a tax on the beautiful girls
Or I won’t get any lovin’ at all”