When the Duchess Is Away

Lyrics

[A MAN, ENSEMBLE] When the Duchess is away (Tra la la) Just like the mice, the Duke will play (Tra la la) All the world is now in tune (Tra la la) Duchess away, let's make hay 'neath the moon [ENSEMBLE] When the Duchess is away, tra la la Just like the mice, the Duke will play, tra la la All the world is now in tune, tra la la Duchess away, let's make hay 'neath the moon [EMILIA] All conventions scorning Let's, until the morning All our cares remove And all the pleasures prove [ENSEMBLE] All conventions scorning Let's, until thе morning All our cares remove And all thе pleasures prove [ENSEMBLE, overlapping] When the Duchess is away, tra la la Just like the mice, the Duke will play, tra la la All the world is now in tune, tra la la Duchess away, let's make hay 'neath the moon Just like the mice, the Duke will play, tra la la All the world is now in tune, tra la la Duchess away, let's make hay 'neath the moon When the Duchess (When the Duchess) When the Duchess (When the Duchess) When the Duchess is away (When the Duchess is away) Duke will play (The Duke will play) Duke will play (The Duke will play) When the Duchess is away Duke will play (The Duke will play) Duke will play (The Duke will play) When the Duchess is away [DUKE] Your study in counterpoint really is clever But oh, I'm afraid it could go on forever Tonight's not for vocal or mental excursion Tonight is an evening for fleshly diversion So, off to the fleshpots, dear friends! [ENSEMBLE] When the Duchess is away, tra la la Just like the mice, the Duke will play, tra la la All the world is now in tune, tra la la Duchess away, let's make hay 'neath the moon [DUKE, spoken] I want to be alone with you forever.  [ANGELA, spoken] Forever? [DUKE, spoken] Well, till tomorrow at least.  [ANGELA, spoken] My lord, I— [DUKE, spoken] Angela, when, when we're alone, don't call me "My lord." I prefer that you call me "Bumpy." It, it's my nickname.  [ANGELA, spoken] I scarcely dare, my lord.  [DUKE, spoken] Ah—Bumpy! [ANGELA, spoken] Bumpy! [NARRATOR, spoken] Behold the grand Duke's lecherous face He lunges in a rough embrace But just before he hits his mark Ottaviano arrives in the park And draws the lusty Duke away To plot Cellini's death that day Exit Ottaviano and the Duke Now our hero can expose his Face among the palace roses Together after far too long The pair declare their love in song