Pretty Baby is an old song written by Tony Jackson during the Ragtime era. Anthony (or Antonio) Jackson, best known as Tony Jackson (June 5, 1876 - April 20, 1920) was a United States pianist, singer, and composer. ... Ragtime is an American musical genre, enjoying its peak popularity around the years 1900–1918. ...

Here is the way it was covered by early recording star Billy Murray in 1916: Billy Murray (25 May 1877 - 17 August 1954) was one of the most popular singers in the United States in the early decades of the 20th century. ... 1916 (MCMXVI) is a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January-February January 1 - The Royal Army Medical Corps first successful blood transfusion using blood that had been stored and cooled. ...

Verse 1

You ask me why I'm always teasing you

You hate to have me call you Pretty Baby

I really thought that I was pleasing you

For you're just a baby to me

Your cunning little dimples and your baby stare

Your baby talk and baby walk and curly hair

Your baby smile

Makes life worthwhile

You're just as sweet as you can be

Verse 2

Your mother said you were the cutest kid

No wonder, Dearie, that I'm wild about you

And all the cunning things you said and did

Why, I love to fondly recall

And just like Peter Pan it seems you'll always be

The same sweet cunning little baby dear to me

And that is why

I'm sure that I

Will always love you best of all

Chorus

Everybody loves a baby that's why I'm in love with you

Pretty baby, pretty baby

And I'd like to be your sister, brother, dad and mother too

Pretty baby, pretty baby

Won't you come and let me rock you in my cradle of love

And we'll cuddle all the time

Oh, I want a lovin' baby, and it might as well be you

Pretty baby of mine

Reference

Billy Murray Anthology: The Denver Nightingale, Archeophone Records, 2002