From the operetta “Bitter Sweet”
Words and music by Noel Coward
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- Play something gay for me
Play for me, play for me
Set me free
I am in a trance tonight
Can’t you see
How I want to dance tonight
Madly my heart is beating
Some insane melody, possessing me
In my brain thrilling and obsessing me
How can I leave it to call in vain?
Is it joy or pain?
Live your life
For Time is fleeting
Some insistent voice repeating
Hear me, hear me
How can I leave it to call in vain?
Is it joy or pain?
Refrain:
Tell me, tell me, tell me what is love
Is it some consuming flame
Part of the moon, part of the sun
Part of a dream barely begun
When is the moment of breaking, waking?
Skies change, nothing is the same
Some strange magic is to blame
Voices, that seem to echo round me and above
Tell me what is love, love, love
- Play something gay for me
Play for me, play for me
Tell me why spring has so enchanted me
Why this shy passion has been granted me
Am I awake or dreaming, far and near
Every lover follows you swift and clear
Flying as the swallows do
Leave me no longer to call in vain
Are you Joy or Pain
Leave me not by Love forsaken
If I sleep, then let me waken
Hear me, hear me
Leave me no longer to call in vain
Are you Joy or pain?