Love me or leave me an' let me be lonely
you won't believe me but I love you only!
I'd rather be lonely
than happy with somebody else!

You might find the night time
the right time for kissin'
But night time is my time
for just reminiscing!

Regretting instead of forgetting
with somebody else! ( Regretting instead of forgetting! )

There'll be no one unless
that someone is you!
I intend to be
independently blue!

I want your love
but I don't want to borrow
to have it today
an' give back tomorrow!

For my love is your love
there's no love for nobody else!

< instrumental break >

Love me or leave me an' let me be lonely!
Won't you believe me that I love you only!
Oh, would rather be lonely
than happy with somebody else!

You might find the night time
the right time for kissin'
Night time is my time
for reminiscing!

Regretting instead of forgetting
with somebody else!

And there'll be no one unless
that someone is you, you, you!
I intend to be
independently . . .
independently blue!

I want your love
I don't want to borrow
to have it today
give back tomorrow!

For my love is your love
there's no love for nobody else!

Love me or leave me
an' let me be lonely . . . Baby!
You're drivin' me wild!
I'd rather be lonely
than happy with somebody else!

~ from the 1928 Stage musical "Whoopee"
Music by Walter Donaldson and lyrics by Gus Kahn