From the musical comedy “Plain and Fancy”, 1955.
Words by Arnold B. Horwitt.
Music by Albert Hague.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
Once upon a time there was a country mouse
Paid a visit to her relative, the city mouse
But she didn’t care a bit for her city house
And her heart was full of pity for the city mouse
I feel the same as she
A city mouse I never want to be
Refrain
City mouse, city mouse, full of care
What dress to buy? What dress to wear?
Country mouse, country mouse, worries not
She wears the only one she’s got
City mouse, city mouse, fuss and fret
What should she be? blonde or brunette?
Country mouse, reckons a diff’rent way
She’s happy if it don’t turn gray
The city mouse, when out to catch a feller
Is putting on the makeup day and night
The country mouse don’t worry ’bout the make up
All she does is put out the light
City mouse has a kid, maybe two
More kids than that never would do
Country mouse, different breed of hen
As soon as she has five she tries for ten
Refrain
City mouse, city mouse, full of care
What dress to buy? What dress to wear?
Country mouse, country mouse, worries not
She wears the only one she’s got
City mouse, city mouse, scheme and plan
Trying to be just like a man
Country mouse, country mouse, got more sense
She’s glad that there’s a difference
The city mouse must always watch her figure
She better keep it slender if she’s wise
It’s diff’rent with the fellers in the country
They like the large economy size
City mouse, city mouse, one fine day
Pack up your bag, tiptoe away
Look around till you’ve found a country house
And settle down to be a country mouse