Quiet

Lyrics

[CUNEGONDE, spoken] Hot, isn't it? [GOVERNOR, spoken] No.  [CUNEGONDE, spoken] It was cold yesterday, wasn't it? [GOVERNOR, spoken] No.  [CUNEGONDE, spoken] It'll rain tonight, won't it? [GOVERNOR, spoken] Wherever you are, it's raining all the time.  [OLD LADY, spoken] Hoy-oy-oy-oy-oy! [GOVERNOR, spoken] What's the matter, lady? [OLD LADY, spoken] I'm homesick.  [GOVERNOR, spoken] For where? [OLD LADY, spoken] For everywhere but here.  [CUNEGONDE, spoken] I've tried so hard to remember. Do I move toward you or away from you? [GOVERNOR, spoken] Away from me if possible.  [OLD LADY] No doubt you'll think I'm giving in To petulance and malice But in candor I am forced to say That I'm sick of gracious living in This stuffy little palace And I wish that I could leave today I have suffered a lot And I'm certainly not Unaware that this life has its black side I havе starved in a ditch I've been burned for a witch And I'm missing thе half of my backside I've been beaten and whipped And repeatedly stripped I've been forced into all kinds of whoredom But I'm finding of late That the very worst fate Is to perish of comfort and boredom [GOVERNOR. spoken] Quiet.  [CUNEGONDE] It was three years ago As you very well know That you said we would soon have a wedding Every day you forget What you promised, and yet You continue to rumple my bedding I'll no longer bring shame On my family name I would rather lie down and be buried No, I'll not lead the life Of an unwedded wife Tell me, when are we going to be married? [GOVERNOR, spoken] Quiet.  [OLD LADY] I was once, what is more Nearly sawed in four By a specially clumsy magician And you'd think I would feel After such an ordeal That there's charm in my present position But I'd far rather be In a tempest at sea Or a bloody North African riot Than to sit in this dump On what's left of my rump And put up with this terrible quiet [CUNEGONDE] When are we going to be married? [OLD LADY] Comfort and boredom and quiet [CUNEGONDE] When are we going to be— [GOVERNOR] Quiet!