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No. 10 - Act II Opening Chorus

MIDI File

Men: Japanese citizens we,
Which you will readily see,
The hair of jet, the skin of tan,
Kimono, obe and the fan,
The pose peculiar of Japan
Betray our nationality.
Gathered at a lantern fête
Scarcely need we stop to state,
The tom-tom's most infernal din,
The lanterns out with lights within,
The dancing which will soon begin
Betray a certain gala date.
Dressed in our gayest clothes
We now begin to look like beaux
Who win as "Romeos"
The happy Jappy "Julies"
With eyes so bright
And teeth as white as pearls.
To you we come in sheen
With blood of blue and manly mien
But to complete the scene
We need a few Musumes,
Which if you please is Japanese for girls.
If you please is what the Japanese call their girls.
Girls: Pretty as a picture
Such as you will find
In some potpourri or mixture
On a fan designed.
Beauty amatory, graceful as can be,
We compose a perfect Oriental symphony.
Brightly smiling all the live-long day
And in simple play
The time beguiling
Our enjoyment chiefly rests in dress,
Perfect idleness our sole employment.
Pretty as a picture
Such as you will find
In some potpourri or mixture
On a fan designed.
Beauty amatory, graceful as can be,
We compose a perfect Oriental symphony.
Heralds: Kow tow! Kow tow! Kow tow!
All: To the Honorable Marquis Kioto, we kow tow.
Marquis: Kow tow!

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American Musical Theatre | Fantana

Page modified 28 November 2016