259. Until The Real Thing Comes Along (1931)

lyrics by Mann Holiner and Sammy Kahn 

music by Alberta Nichols & Saul Chaplin

I’d work for you
I’d slave for you
I’d be a beggar or a knave for you
If that isn’t love it will have to do
Until the real thing comes along

I’d gladly move
The earth for you
To prove my love dear
And it’s worth for you
If that isn’t love it will have to do
Until the real thing comes along

With all the words dear at my command
I just can’t make you understand
I’ll always love you darling
Come what may
My heart is yours
What more can I say?

I’d lie for you
I’d sigh for you
I’d tear the stars down from the sky for you
If that isn’t love it will have to do
Until the real thing comes along

With all the words dear at my command
I just can’t make you understand
I’ll always love you baby
Come what may
My heart is yours
What more can I say?

I’d lie for you
I’d cry for you
I’d lay my body down and die for you
If that isn’t love it will have to do
Until the real thing comes along

 

2nd version

I’d work for you
I’d slave for you
I’d be a beggar or a knave for you
If that isn’t love it will have to do
Until the real thing comes along

I’d gladly move
The earth for you
To prove my love dear
And it’s worth for you
If that isn’t love it will have to do
Until the real thing comes along

With all the words dear at my command
I just can’t make you understand
I’ll always love you darling
Come what may
My heart is yours
What more can I say?

I’d sigh for you
I’d cry for you
I’d tear the stars down from the sky for you
If that isn’t love it will have to do
Until the real thing comes along

With all the words dear at my command
I just can’t make you understand
I’ll always love you baby
Come what may
My heart is yours
What more can I say?

I’d lie for you
I’d cry for you
I’d lay my body down and die for you
If that isn’t love it will have to do
Until the real thing comes along

Original version from the show Rhapsody in Black and Ethel Waters