Dolly Connolly's Big Hit
"When You Wore a Tulip and I Wore a Big Red Rose" (13 Jul 1914)
Words by Jack Mahoney [1882-1945]
Music by Percy Weinrich [1880-1952]

Published by LEO. FEIST, Inc., Feist Building, N.Y.
[Source: facsimile on pages 90-93 from
"The St. Louis Blues and Other Song Hits of 1914"
Edited by Sandy Marrone
(New York: Dover Pub., 1990)]

1. I met you in a garden in an old Kentucky town,
The sun was shining down, you wore a gingham gown,
I kissed you, as I placed a yellow tulip in your hair,
Upon my coat you pinned a rose so rare,
Time has not changed your lovliness, you’re just as sweet to me,
I love you yet, I can’t forget the days that used to be.

CHORUS [sung twice after each VERSE]
When you wore a tulip, a sweet yellow tulip, and I wore a big red rose,
When you caressed me, ’twas then Heaven blessed me, what a blessing, no one knows.
You made life cheerie, when you called me dearie, ’twas down where the blue grass grows,
Your lips were sweeter than julep, when you wore that tulip and I wore a big red rose.

2. The love you vowed to cherish has not falter’d thro’ the years,
You bannish all my fears, your voice like music cheers,
You are the same sweet girl I knew in happy days of old,
Your hair is silver, but your heart is gold,
Red roses blush no longer in your cheeks so sweet and fair,
It seems to me, dear, I can see white roses blooming there.