From the operetta “Bitter Sweet” 1929
Words and music by Noel Coward
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- Though we’re often accused of
Excessively plastic, drastic sins
When we’re asked to decide
On the wrong or the right life
Night life wins
We know that destiny will never bring
A wedding ring about
Our moral sense may really not be
Quite the thing to fling about, sing about
We’ll achieve independence before it’s too late
And wait and see, what care, what care we?
Refrain:
Ladies of the town, ladies of the town
Though we’ve not a confessional air
We have quite a professional flair
Strolling up and down, strolling up and down
We employ quite an amiable system
Of achieving renown
Though the church and state abuses us
For as long as it amuses us
We’ll remain, no matter how they frown
Haughty, naughty ladies of the town
- We can often behave
In a very disarming, charming way
Which can frequently add
To the money we lay by
Day by day
If we are told of something
on the Stock Exchange
We pry a bit
And if it’s safe we get some kindly banker
To supply a bit, buy a bit
And if later our helpers may wish to forget us
Set us free, what care, what care we?
Refrain:
Ladies of the town, ladies of the town,
Though we’re socially under a cloud
Please forgive us for laughing aloud
Strolling up and down, strolling up and down
Disapproval may sometimes submerge us
But we none of us drown
We have known in great variety
Members of the best society
And should we decide to settle down
We’ll be wealthy ladies of the town