Nol Coward — Why Must The Show Go On

The world for some years Has been sodden with tears On behalf of the acting profession Each star playing a part Seems to expect a Purple Heart It's unorthodox to be born in a box But it needn't become an obsession Let's hope we have no worse to plague us Than two shows a night in Las Vegas When I think of physicians and mathematicians Who don't earn a quarter the dough When I look at the faces Of people in Macy's There's one thing I'm burning to know: Why must the show go on? It can't be all that indispensable To me, it really isn't sensible on the whole To play a leading role While fighting those tears you can't control Why kick up your legs When draining the dregs Of sorrow's bitter cup? Because you have read Some idiot has said 'The curtain must stay up!' I'd like to know Why a star takes bows Having just returned from burying her spouse Brave boop-a-doopers Go home and dry your tears Gallant old troopers You've bored us all for years And if you're so blue Wet through And thoroughly woe-begone Why must the show go on? Oh, mammy Why must the show go on? We're asked to condole With each tremulous soul Who steps out to be loudly applauded Stars on opening nights Weep when they see their names in lights Though people who act As a matter of fact Are, financially, amply rewarded It seems, when pursuing their calling Their suffering's simply appalling But butchers, and bakers, and candlestick makers Get little applause for their pains When I think of miners And waiters in diners The query forever remains: Why must the show go on? The rule Is surely not immutable It . . . It might be wiser And more suitable Just to close If you are in the throes Of personal grief and private woes Why stifle a sob when doing your job When, if you'd use your head You'd go out and grab A comfortable cab And go right home to bed? Because you're not Giving us much fun This 'Laugh, Clown, Laugh' routine's been overdone Hats off to showfolks For smiling when they're blue But more comme il faut folks Are sick of smiling through And if you're out cold Too old And most of your teeth have gone Why must the show go on? I sometimes wonder Why must the show go on? Why must the show go on? Now, why not announce the closing night of it? The public seem to hate the sight of it, dear And so Why you should undergo This terrible strain We'll never know We know that you're sad We know that you've had A lot of storm and strife But is it quite fair To ask us to share Your dreary private life? We know you're trapped in a gilded cage But for heaven's sake Relax and be your age Stop being gallant And don't be such a bore Pack up your talent There's always plenty more And if you lose hope Take dope And lock yourself in the John Why must the show go on? I'm merely asking Why must the show Go on?