[1st verse:]
A babbitt met a bromide on the avenue one day
They held a conversation in their own peculiar way
They were both were solid citizens they both had been around
And as they spoke you clearly saw their feet were on the ground:
[refrain:]
Hello! how are you?
Howza folks? what's new?
I'm great! that's good!
Ha! ha! knock wood!
Well! well! what say?
Howya been? nice day!
How's tricks? what's new?
That's fine! how are you?
Nice weather we are having but it gives me such a pain;
I've taken my umbrella so of course it doesn't rain
Heigh ho! that's life!
What's new? howza wife?
Gotta run! oh my!
Ta! ta! olive oil! goodbye!
[2nd verse:]
Ten years went quickly by for both these substiantial men
Then history records one day they chanced to meet again
That they had both developed in ten years there was no doubt
And so of course they had an awful lot to talk about:
[alternate lines in 2nd refrain:]
I'm sure i know your face but i just can't recall your name;
Well how've you been old boy? you're looking just about the same
[3rd verse:]
Before they met again some twenty years they had to wait
This time it happened up above inside st peter's gate
A harp each one was carrying and both were wearing wings
And this is what they sang as they kept strumming on the strings
[alternate lines in 3rd refrain:]
You've grown a little stouter since i saw you last i think
Come up and see me sometime and we'll have a little drink
[alternate line in sheet music:]
And then it happened that one day they chanced to meet again