Life On the Wicked Stage - Blossom Dearie

Why do stage struck maidens clamor

To be actin' in the drammer?

GIRLS

We’ve heard say

You are gay

Night and day

ELLIE

Oh, go 'way!

GIRLS

We drink water from a dipper

You drink champagne from a slipper

ELLIE

Tho' it seems cruel to bust

All your dreams

Still I must;

Here’s the truth I tell you:

Life upon the wicked stage

Ain’t ever what a girl supposes;

Stage door Johnnies aren’t raging

Over you with gems and roses

When you let a feller hold your hand (which

Means an extra beer or sandwich)

Ev’rybody whispers: «Ain't her life a whirl?»

Though you’re warned against a roué

Ruining your reputation

I have played around

The one night trade around

A great big nation:

Wild old men who give you jewels and sables

Only live in Aesop’s Fables

Life upon the wicked stage

Ain’t nothin' for a girl

GIRLS

Though we’ve listened to you moan and grieve, you

Must pardon us if we do not believe you

There is no doubt

You’re crazy about

Your awful stage!

ELLIE

I admit it’s fun

To smear my face with paint

Causing ev’ryone

To think I’m what I ain’t

And I like to play a demi-monde role

With soul!

Ask the hero does he

Like the way I lure

When I play a hussy

Or a paramour

Yet when once the curtain’s down

My life is pure

And how I dread it!

GIRLS

Life upon the wicked stage

Ain’t ever what a girl supposes

Stage door Johnnies aren’t raging

Over you with gems and roses

ELLIE

If some gentleman would talk with reason

I would cancel all next season

Life upon the wicked stage

Ain’t nothin' for a girl!

GIRLS

You’d be back the season after!

(DANCE)