From the operetta “Bitter Sweet”, 1929
Words and music by Noel Coward
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
When we’re thoroughly wined and dined
And the barracks are left behind
We come down to the town to find
Some relief from the daily grind
Love is kind, Love is blind
Tokay!
When the thoughts of a man incline
To the grapes of a sunlit vine
On the banks of the golden Rhine
Slowly ripening pure and fine
Sweet divine, Lovers’ wine
Lift your voices till the rafters ring
Fill your glasses to the brim and sing
Refrain:
Tokay!
The golden sunshine of a summer day
Tokay!
Will bear the burden of your cares away
Here’s to the love in you
The hate in you, Desire in you
Wine of the sun that will waft you along
Lifting you high on the wings of a song
To dreams in you
The flame in you, The fire in you
Tokay! Tokay!
So while forgetfulness we borrow
Never minding what tomorrow has to say
Tokay!
The only thing we all obey
Tokay! Tokay! Tokay!