[ti:Why Must the Show Go On?]
[ar:Noel Coward and Orchestra]
[al:The Noel Coward Collection, Vol. 2: I'll See You Again]
[by:]
[00:00.00]Why Must the Show Go On? - Noel Coward and Orchestra
[00:09.08]The world for some years
[00:10.20]Has been sodden with tears
[00:11.54]On behalf of the acting profession
[00:13.59]Each star playing a part
[00:15.89]Seems to expect a Purple Heart
[00:18.57]It's unorthodox to be born in a box
[00:20.76]But it needn't become an obsession
[00:22.60]Let's hope we have no worse to plague us
[00:25.07]Than two shows a night in Las Vegas
[00:28.37]When I think of physicians and mathematicians
[00:31.19]Who don't earn a quarter the dough
[00:33.54]When I look at the faces
[00:35.14]Of people in Macy's
[00:36.84]There's one thing I'm burning to know:
[00:40.99]Why must the show go on
[00:44.93]It can't be all that indispensable
[00:48.84]To me it really isn't sensible on the whole
[00:52.50]To play a leading role
[00:54.30]While fighting those tears you can't control
[00:56.35]Why kick up your legs
[00:57.35]When draining the dregs
[00:58.35]Of sorrow's bitter cup
[01:00.28]Because you have read
[01:01.14]Some idiot has said
[01:02.14]'The curtain must stay up '
[01:03.69]I'd like to know
[01:04.86]Why a star takes bows
[01:07.67]Having just returned from burying her spouse
[01:11.77]Brave boop-a-doopers
[01:13.70]Go home and dry your tears
[01:16.04]Gallant old troopers
[01:17.38]You've bored us all for years
[01:18.79]And if you're so blue
[01:20.44]Wet through
[01:21.33]And thoroughly woe-begone
[01:23.45]Why must the show go on
[01:25.99]Oh mammy
[01:27.17]Why must the show go on
[01:35.17]We're asked to condole
[01:36.51]With each tremulous soul
[01:37.57]Who steps out to be loudly applauded
[01:39.79]Stars on opening nights
[01:42.14]Weep when they see their names in lights
[01:45.12]Though people who act
[01:46.27]As a matter of fact
[01:48.04]Are financially amply rewarded
[01:50.38]It seems when pursuing their calling
[01:52.74]Their suffering's simply appalling
[01:56.72]But butchers and bakers and candlestick makers
[01:59.13]Get little applause for their pains
[02:01.77]When I think of miners
[02:03.45]And waiters in diners
[02:05.62]The query forever remains:
[02:09.20]Why must the show go on
[02:13.19]The rule
[02:14.22]Is surely not immutable
[02:17.15]It It might be wiser
[02:18.74]And more suitable
[02:19.68]Just to close
[02:20.87]If you are in the throes
[02:22.74]Of personal grief and private woes
[02:24.73]Why stifle a sob when doing your job
[02:26.70]When if you'd use your head
[02:28.54]You'd go out and grab
[02:29.58]A comfortable cab
[02:30.44]And go right home to bed
[02:31.94]Because you're not
[02:33.08]Giving us much fun
[02:36.06]This 'Laugh Clown Laugh' routine's been overdone
[02:40.41]Hats off to showfolks
[02:41.66]For smiling when they're blue
[02:43.86]But more comme il faut folks
[02:45.77]Are sick of smiling through
[02:47.33]And if you're out cold
[02:48.75]Too old
[02:49.57]And most of your teeth have gone
[02:51.51]Why must the show go on
[02:53.65]I sometimes wonder
[02:55.70]Why must the show go on
[02:59.55]Why must the show go on
[03:02.82]Now why not announce the closing night of it
[03:06.97]The public seem to hate the sight of it dear
[03:09.85]And so
[03:10.88]Why you should undergo
[03:12.69]This terrible strain
[03:13.76]We'll never know
[03:14.46]We know that you're sad
[03:15.79]We know that you've had
[03:16.78]A lot of storm and strife
[03:18.56]But is it quite fair
[03:19.59]To ask us to share
[03:20.57]Your dreary private life
[03:22.45]We know you're trapped in a gilded cage
[03:26.47]But for heaven's sake
[03:27.48]Relax and be your age
[03:30.54]Stop being gallant
[03:32.38]And don't be such a bore
[03:34.80]Pack up your talent
[03:36.32]There's always plenty more
[03:37.78]And if you lose hope
[03:39.49]Take d**e
[03:40.18]And lock yourself in the John
[03:42.15]Why must the show go on
[03:44.52]I'm merely asking
[03:46.14]Why must the show
[03:51.95]Go on