Title

In My Merry Oldsmobile

Ransom Eli Olds produced his first motorized carriage in 1897 (the end of the Oldsmobile line came April 29, 2004). At the turn of the century, recording had come into its own both by disc and cylinder. Anybody who was anybody enjoyed an evening of listening to records played on Victor, Columbia, and Edison machines in their front rooms, frequently termed as "parlors." And one of the popular songs of the time—"In My Merry Oldsmobile"—was recorded by several record companies irrespective of a brand name. The tune was appealing, its words attractive and, in those days, suggestive with such lines as "you may go as far as you like with me in my merry Oldsmobile." Among courting swains, that was a real knee-slapper. The Olds Motor Works was swift to see the advertising potential and had the Columbia Gramaphone Company run off several thousand records of the song for distribution to their dealers. Oldsmobile recognized that every one of the commercially-sold versions of the song were the same as having a salesman in the parlor! The recordings made to order for factory consumption carried Columbia's "personal" label.

In My Merry Oldsmobile was one of the first popular tunes to tell the romance of the open road.

Composer

Gus Edwards

Lyricist

Vincent Bryan

Date

1905

Version #2 - Recorded By

Collins and Harlan

Arthur Collins
1864 - 1933

Bryon G. Harlan
 

A comedic baritone and tenor duo, who were famous for their character songs and bizarre harmony.

In My Merry Oldsmobile Lyrics

Verse 1

Young Johnnie Steele has
an Oldsmobile. He loves a
dear little girl.

She is the queen of his
gas machine. She has his
heart in a whirl.

Now when they go
for a spin, you know,
she tries to learn his auto, so

He lets her steer while
he gets her ear,
and whispers soft and low;

Chorus

Come away with me Lucile
in my merry Oldsmobile

Down the road of life we’ll fly
automo-bubbling you and I.

To the church we’ll swiftly steal,
then our wedding bells will peal,

You can go as far you like with me,
In my merry Oldsmobile.

Verse 2

They love to spark in the
dark old park, as they
go flying along,

She says she knows why
his motor goes; his sparker’s
awfully strong.

Each day they spoon to the
engine’s tune, their
honeymoon will happen soon,

He’ll win Lucile with his
Oldsmobile and then he’ll
fondly croon;

Chorus

Come away with me Lucile
in my merry Oldsmobile

Down the road of life we’ll fly
automo-bubbling you and I.

To the church we’ll swiftly steal,
then our wedding bells will peal,

You can go as far you like with me,
In my merry Oldsmobile.

Patter Chorus

Come away Lucile ‘cause if
I may Lucile I want to take
you for my bride,

And we’ll chug along and
always sing a song as down
the road of life we fly

Even though my car is old and
squeaky now it’s better than
a horse or train.

When I pull the throttle out and
put her into third you think
you’re in a plane.

To the church we’re heading
for a quiet wedding then
I’ll crank her up and take
the wheel

And away we’ll go my honey,
they will know my honey
that our love is real.

You can go as far you like
with me, In my merry Oldsmobile,

My merry Oldsmobile.