If She Was, What She Was, When She Was Sixteen (1923)

Описание: The Perkins House in Colfax, WA has a large number of historical items. Including phonograph records, many more than a hundred years old and containing songs seldom if ever heard today. Many of these records are made of shellac, not vinyl. We in the Perkins House are honored to share our collection with you.


If She Was, What She Was, When She Was Sixteen (1923)

VICTOR – 19230 - B
Joe Young, Sam Lewis, lyricists
George Meyer, composer
Henry Burr, vocalist
Issued 1923

It is worth noting that this song was written during the era of the ‘Flappers’: Young women going out unchaperoned, dancing, drinking, and picking their own companions instead of obeying parental choices. All this had older generations deeply rattled.


In the story book of life you’ll find
Tales of those who never looked ahead
She was just a simple country kind
But she strayed where angels fear to tread

If she was what she was when she was sixteen
You’d find her again on the old village green
She’s not what she was
And the reason is plain
Instead of the straight road
She took the wrong lane

The world never thinks
‘Mid its storm and complaints
If there were no sinners
There’d never be saints

So lift her up gently
And help her to clean
Like she was when she was sixteen

If she was what she was when she was sixteen
You’d find her again on the old village green
She’s not what she was
And the reason is plain
Instead of the straight road
She took the wrong lane

So lift her up gently
And help her to clean
Like she was when she was sixteen

Victor Records were produced by the Victor Talking Machine Company, a major US recording and phonograph company founded in 1901, known for its "Victrola" phonographs and "His Master's Voice" logo featuring Nipper, the listening dog. It would later become the RCA Victor Division after merging with RCA in 1929, before eventually becoming the modern-day RCA Records.