[Verse 1: David Olney]
Have I ever told you
I was once quite the ladies man?
My suits were Italian
My color vermillion
My words soft as satin
The language of love

[Verse 2: David Olney]
My life was the movies
And I was the leading man
The dashing romantic
With a touch of the tragic
My profile was perfect
And the language was love

[Chorus: John Prine]
Yes sir, Mr. Barrymore
You must have been something back then
They must have been wonderful years
And they won't come again
Yes sir, Mr. Barrymore
Can I pour you another?

[Verse 3: David Olney]
The women were lovely
In the flickering Hollywood light
Of course, there was Garbo
And Dietrich and Harlow
The look was come hither
And the language was love
[Verse 4: David Olney]
And my God, the parties
The nights were as bright as the days
The air smelled like honey
The stars shone like money
In the roar of the twenties
The language was love

[Chorus: John Prine]
Yes sir, Mr. Barrymore
You must have been something back then
They must have been wonderful years
And they won't come again
Yes sir, Mr. Barrymore
One more on the rocks?

[Verse 5: David Olney]
And this was a gay town
As wild and as free as the night
We loved with a passion
We lived with abandon
We were storybook heroes
In the language of love

[Instrumental Break]
[Verse 6: David Olney]
But what was I saying?
And where has everyone gone?
Quickly, bartender
Pour me another
Better make it a double
One more for the road

[Chorus: John Prine]
Yes sir, Mr. Barrymore
Are you sure you can make it alright?
Yes, the bar's closing down
Better call it a night
Yes sir, Mr. Barrymore
Can I call you a cab?