THE BEST PEOPLE ON EARTH 

There's a bunch of good fellows who've banded together
They're known throughout the land,
And to 1000s of folks who are down on their luck
They have lent a helping hand.
The Order of Elks are the men that I mean,
And their motto is "Sweet Charity."
Their emblem's the head of an elk on a button
With four letters: B-P-O-E.

They're the best people on earth: 
The B.P.O.E.
They are the people who do the most good.
When you're an Elk, you will see what they do for you. 
We never will know 
The half of their charity.
Good fellows together in all sorts of weather
The B.P.O.E.

When I was invited to join the Elks' Lodge
I was simply treated grand.
All the brothers were there with indian clubs
To lend a helping hand.
I woke up at the doctor's, he thought I'd been hit 
By an automobile on the head.
When I told him I'd merely been joining the Elks
He smiled at me sweetly and said,

They are the best people on earth:
The B.P.O.E.
They are the folks who do every one good.
Now you're an Elk you can see what they do to you.
They've broken your arm, 
They've fractured your ribs and knee.
I'll be busy with you till new members go through 
In the B.P.O.E.

When I lived in Poughkeepsie one night I got tipsy 
From drinking too much wine.
As I strolled down the street, I chanced for to meet
Some brother Elks of mine.
I wouldn't let them take me home to my wife,
They were sober and she'd raise a fuss.
So my good brother Elks they let me get them drunk, 
And they said you'll have nothing on us.

They are the best people on earth - 
B.P.O.E.
They are the people who do the most good.
When you’re an Elk you will see what they do for you.
They drank all they could and handed the bill to me,
Then they said "You're our brother so buy us another 
For B.P.O.E."

A young brother Elk by the name of McCarthy
He ran off with my wife.
There was no need to run, for when he took her from me 
I was his friend for life.
Several years passed and he heard I was grieving,
His conscience it worried him then.
'Twas then he remembered that I was an Elk 
So he brought her back to me again.

They are the best people on earth: 
B.P.O.E.
They are the people who do the most good.
When you’re an Elk you will see what they do for you.
My mother-in-law 
Came back with my wife to me.
Now McCarthy's our boarder, he's one of the order 
Of B.P.O.E.

Sung by Nat M. Wills, on a Victor record, 1909.