Nol Coward — Dance Little Lady

(Recorded 1928) Though you’re only seventeen Far too much of life you’ve seen Syncopated child Maybe if you only knew Where your path is leading to You’d become less wild But I know it’s vain Trying to explain While there’s this insane Music in your brain Dance, dance, dance little lady Youth is fleeting to the rhythm Beating in your mind Dance, dance, dance little lady So obsessed with second best No rest you’ll ever find Time and tide and trouble Never, never wait Let the cauldron bubble Justify your fate Dance, dance, dance little lady Dance, dance, dance little lady Leave tomorrow behind When the saxaphone Gives a wicked moan Charleston, hey, hey Rhythms fall and rise Start dancing to the tune The bands crooning— For soon the night will be gone Start swaying like a reed Without heeding The speed That hurries you on Syncopate your nerves Till your body curves Drooping, stooping Laughter some day dies And when the lights are starting to gutter Dawn—through the shutter— Shows you're living in a world of lies Dance, dance, dance little lady Youth is fleeting to the rhythm Beating in your mind Dance, dance, dance little lady So obsessed with second best No rest you’ll ever find Time and tide and trouble Never, never wait Let the cauldron bubble Justify your fate Dance, dance, dance little lady Dance, dance, dance little lady Leave tomorrow behind