Track Title:               I Won't Say I Will, But I Won't Say I Won't


Prime Artist:              Irene Bordoni
Lyrics by:                 Ira Gershwin     (b. Israel Gershvin)
Lyrics by:                 B.G. DeSylva  (aka 'Buddy', aka, 'George Gard DeSylva')
Lyrics by:                 Arthur F. Tate

Music by:                  George Gershwin     (b. Jacob Gershvin)
From the Show:             Little Miss Bluebeard  1923 (S)


Lyrics:
Verse

You're a very naughty boy;
When you ask me for a kiss,
I'm dismayed-
A little bit afraid.
Now, holding hands is quite a joy
For a truly modest miss;
It should do
Just as well for you.
I am not refusing you, dear;
Let me make this perfectly clear:

Refrain 1

I won't say I will, but I won't say I won't!
I don't say I do, but I don't say I don't!
Kissing of any kind
Never was on my mind.
Maybe I can arrange it-
It's my mind, and I can change it.
I might say I might, but modesty forbids;
That's the reason why I don't!
So you mustn't be cross at a little delay:
You ought to know Rome wasn't built in a day!
I won't say I will, but I won't say I won't!

Refrain 2

I won't say I will, but I won't say I won't!
I don't say I do, but I don't say I don't!
Maybe it's just my way;
Maybe I'm cold - but, say!
Although my glance like ice is-
How I warm up in a crisis!
I might say I might, but modesty forbids;
That's the reason why I don't!
You'd have taken your kiss if you had any cheek-
Maybe I'd scream, but my voice is so weak!
I won't say I will, but I won't say I won't!

Refrain 3

I won't say I will, but I won't say I won't!
I don't say I do, but I don't say I don't!
Kissing has seemed to me
Vulgar as it can be.
Mentally I'm much higher.
(Don't believe me - I'm a liar!)
I might say I might, but modesty forbids;
That's the reason why I don't!
A virtue like mine is a hard thing to find,
But it's lucky for me that you can't read my mind!
I won't say I will, but I won't say I won't!

Refrain 4

I won't say I will, but I won't say I won't!
I don't say I do, but I don't say I don't!
That is the stand I take
Just for convention's sake.
Though I frown like a deacon,
Coax me more - perhaps I'll weaken!
I might say I might, but modesty forbids;
That's the reason why I don't!
Though I have to say "No" - if a chappies wise,
He can read "Yes" in the light of my eyes!
I won't say I will, but I won't say I won't!

Refrain 5

I won't say I will, but I won't say I won't!
I don't say I do, but I don't say I don't!
Stealing a kiss is theft-
But, sir, if you are deft,
Letting no fears assail you,
I'm sure no cop would ever jail you.
I might say I might, but modesty forbids;
That's the reason why I don't!
But supposing you kissed me, now, isn't it true:
My lips would be sealed - tell me, what could I do?
I won't say I will, but I won't say I won't!