At the Music Hall: “If You Were the Only Girl in the World,” 1916

If you were the only girl in the world,
And I were the only boy,
Nothing else would matter in the world today,
We would 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 you were the only girl in the world,
And I were the only boy.

This extremely popular, romantic ballad was written in 1916 by Nat D. Ayer with lyrics by Clifford Grey. The song debuted with the premiere of the musical revue “The Bing Boys Are Here” at the Leicester Square Alhambra Theatre. The song became so beloved because it offered a sentimental and innocent distraction from the increasing horrors of World War I. Enjoy this 1917 version sung by Henry Burr.