At the Music Hall: Let Me Call You Sweetheart, 1910

I am dreaming Dear of you, day by day
Dreaming when the skies are blue, When they're gray;
When the silv'ry moonlight gleams, Still I wander on in dreams,
In a land of love, it seems, Just with you.

Let me call you "Sweetheart," I'm in love with you.
Let me hear you whisper that you love me too.
Keep the love-light glowing in your eyes so true.
Let me call you "Sweetheart," I'm in love with you.

Longing for you all the while, More and more;
Longing for the sunny smile, I adore;
Birds are singing far and near, Roses blooming ev'rywhere
You, alone, my heart can cheer; You, just you.

Let me call you "Sweetheart," I'm in love with you.
Let me hear you whisper that you love me too.
Keep the love-light glowing in your eyes so true.
Let me call you "Sweetheart," I'm in love with you.

"Let Me Call You Sweetheart,”  published in 1910,  features music by Leo Friedman and lyrics by Beth Slater Whitson.  It was first recorded by The Peerless Quartet and has been a popular, sentimental favorite ever since. 

Notably, the girl who modeled for the original sheet music (seen here) is thought to have been Virginia Rappe, who is most famous for being at the center of the 1921 Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle scandal.


Classic cartoon scariness and the Merman to follow...