Come to Florence (”Civic Song”)

Lyrics

[SOLO] If you're bent on viewing Something doing Come to Florence! Where is life more active And attractive Than in Florence? Where are people singing At a swinging But in Florence? [ALL] Everything warrants Our singing of Florence So, Florence, we're singing of you Everything warrants Our singing of Florence So, Florence, we're singing of you [SOLO] There's artistic treasure None can measure Here in Florence Great is every statue Looking at you Here in Florence And we've gotta lotta Terracotta Here in Florence [ALL] Praises in torrents We shower on Florence Oh, Florence, you always come through! [WOMEN] In all of Italy No brighter star We're singing prettily Right where we are [MEN] Don't mention Napoli Venice or Rome Florence sings happily: No place like home! [SOLO] If you're spending ducats By the buckets You're in Florence All the girls are busty Life is lusty Here in Florence And did you know that Dante And Chianti Came from Florence? [ALL] Everything warrants Our singing of Florence So, Florence, we're singing of you Everything warrants Our singing of Florence So, Florence, we're singing of you [Short dance follows. It is interrupted by the sound of muffled drum.] [ALL] Hear the drum, hear the drum Beating out his fate Here they come! Here they come! [HANGMAN] I can hardly wait [ALL] Hear the drum! Here they come! [MAFFIO] At this point no angel or devil or genie Can possibly save the neck of Cellini [ALL] Here they come! Time to yell Hail, Cellini and farewell! [APPRENTICES, MODELS, a LAWYER, and CELLINI march on.] [APPRENTICES] Our master Has met disaster Our sculptor will sculp no more But high up He'll find a tie-up Redesigning heaven's golden door [ALL] He will make completer The portals of Saint Peter [MODELS] The models of Florence Disciples of grace All view with abhorrence What's now taking place [ALL] Oh, models of Florence Your master is through Your tears fall in torrents But what can you do? The fatal bell has rung The trap will soon be sprung! [MAGISTRATE, spoken] Benvenuto Cellini, have you a final say to say? We allow three minutes.  [MAGISTRATE takes out a sand clock and starts it afresh.]