The Electric Light - song lyrics 
American Old-time song lyrics from www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
THE ELECTRIC LIGHT. Copyright, 1879, by E. A. Harding. Sung by Tony Pastor. 
The time is coming when no one Can tell the day from night, And that will be when we shall see The new electric light. Then gas will have to vanish, As all gassy subjects should, And the " Yaukee triumph" it will shine Upon the bad And good; The bold policeman on his beat Can never go to sleep, While all our ball-room beauties, Who now look so nice at night, Will not seem quite so charming By the new electric light. 
Chorus. There's some of us will welcome, And some will hate the sight Of the latest, greatest wonder, That's the new electric light. 
The light will show our loving wives If husbands come home "straight;" And all the " spooney" pairs at night A kissing at the gate; 'Twill show the rich man just the way To help the starving poor, And the way to keep the prowling wolf From honest labor's door! 'Twill show the road to "good old times," Now specie payment's here, And how long Murphy's converts Will abstain from gin and beer! 'Twill show us how our sweethearts Keep their curls so long and bright. We'll see what makes their blushes, By the new electric light.-Chorus, 
This light will show us how to get The cash from broken banks, And why them bold directors Are allowed to play such pranks; 'Twill show us why policemen Club the helpless And the old, When the banks are robbed in broad daylight. By burglars stout and bold! 'Twill help a girl to ferret out What tints her sweetheart's nose. And why her dashing neighbors Wear such fine expensive clothes; 'Twill show us if those "cyphers" That we read of were all right; We'll find our honest statesmen By the new electric light.-Chorus. 
This light will show the honest man Beneath a ragged coat-And why our "Little Johnny" Wouldn't let the people vote. 'Twill guide the Reverend Talmage On some other vice to speak, And will show him clearly, some are "frauds," Who hear him twice a week. 'Twill show who writes the personals. And what they all may mean, And why the girls with "navy busts," When dressed so stout, are seen; Why someone found a baby Ou his door-step one fine night, Will soon look quite appareut By the new electric light. - Chorus.