Lyrics:
Safety First [Version (a)]:
Mary quite contrary came from Tipperary
To New York town and settled down
She was very pretty in that big city
Lovers came from many miles around
And when they would woo her
Say sweet love things to her
She'd been in Killarney
Knew that it was blarney
That she was a Wisenheim they found
I like your racing motor car
I like to speed with you
I like your lovely big steam yacht
That sails the ocean blue
I like to go with you each night
To some Cabaret
I like to dine with you
And dance until the break of day
But I can't let you kiss me, dear
Unless we have a preacher near
The best of men are like the worst
Years have passed and Mary, still quite contrary
Is the reigning beauty of the day
She has crossed the breakers, passed up all the fakers
Safety First has won for her the fray
Yet men of money think it mighty funny
Though she let them dine her
Dance with her and wine her
When they try to kiss her, she will say
Stop look and listen
Safety first
Mary quite contrary came from Tipperary
To New York town and settled down
She was very pretty in that big city
Lovers came from many miles around
And when they would woo her
Say sweet love things to her
She'd been in Killarney
Knew that it was blarney
That she was a Wisenheim they found
I like your racing motor car
I like to speed with you
I like your lovely big steam yacht
That sails the ocean blue
I like to go with you each night
To some Cabaret
I like to dine with you
And dance until the break of day
But I can't let you kiss me, dear
Unless we have a preacher near
The best of men are like the worst
Years have passed and Mary, still quite contrary
Is the reigning beauty of the day
She has crossed the breakers, passed up all the fakers
Safety First has won for her the fray
Yet men of money think it mighty funny
Though she let them dine her
Dance with her and wine her
When they try to kiss her, she will say
Stop look and listen
Safety first
The Song:
In order for it to feel more authentic, Beck filled out his Song Reader book with fragments of songs and melodies, as well as fictional album collections and song titles. On the back of "Saint Dude," a number of albums are listed, including one called Prison And Mountain Songs (For Boys). "Safety First" is included as part of that.
Many, if not most, of the songs on the back of "Saint Dude" are references to older sheet music songs. "Safety First" was a song in 1914, which you can check out here.
In order for it to feel more authentic, Beck filled out his Song Reader book with fragments of songs and melodies, as well as fictional album collections and song titles. On the back of "Saint Dude," a number of albums are listed, including one called Prison And Mountain Songs (For Boys). "Safety First" is included as part of that.
Many, if not most, of the songs on the back of "Saint Dude" are references to older sheet music songs. "Safety First" was a song in 1914, which you can check out here.