Father Is Driving a Jitney Bus
Words and music by Joseph B. Carey
Published 1915

[verse 1]
O'Grady 'phoned to me
In great perplexity
That the times are getting harder ev'ry day
And said with moans and sighs
That he must economize,
Cut out the booze and throw his pipe away;
Now I want it understood
that with me the times are good,
And the same is true with all the family,
If this should cause surprise
Just let me put you wise
And tell how Fortune came to smile on me:

[chorus]
Father is driving a Jitney bus
from the station to the park,
And soon I know he'll be a millionaire,
The stove in the kitchen has been ignored,
Dear mother is renting a "Can't afford,"
For a half a dime she'll take you anywhere;
Sister has left the department store
to become a Jitney Queen,
Her little car is winning great renown;
O', the bank account is getting fat,
for Pa and Ma and sister Hat,
Since the Jitney bus has come to bless our town.

[verse 2]
When father whizzes by
You'll hear the people cry:
"O, Mister Maxwell let us ride with you!"
They come from far and near
The Jitney bus to cheer,
To trolly car they bid a fond adieu;
Now it only casts five cents,
to ride from hence to thence,
So the merry little Jitneys roll along,
Then come and take a ride
With your sweetheart by your side
Strike up the band and sing the Jitney song.

[repeat chorus]