Half-Caste Woman |
Noël Coward
1932
Laugh a bit, drink a bit, love a bit more.
You can supply our needs.
Think a bit, sink a bit, what’s it all for.
That’s your Eurasian creed.
Sailors with sentimental hearts, who love and sail away.
When the dawn is gray, look at you… and say.
Half-caste woman, living a life apart.
Where did your story begin?
Half-caste-woman, have you a secret heart
Waiting for someone to win?
Were you born of some queer magic
In your shimmering gown?
Is there something strange and tragic
Deep, deep down?
Half-caste woman, what are your slanting eyes
Waiting and hoping to see?
Scanning the far horizon
Wondering what the end will be.
Down along the river
The sky is a quiver
And dawn is beginning to break.
Hear the sirens wailing
Some big ship is sailing.
I’m loosing my dreams in it’s wake.
Why should I remember the things that are past
Moments so softly gone.
Why worry for the Lord knows
Live goes on.
Go to bed in daylight.
Try to sleep in vain.
Get up in the evening.
Work begins again.
Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor, rich man, poor man, beggar-man, thief
Questioning the same refrain.
Half-caste woman, living a life apart.
Where did your story begin?
Half-caste woman, have you a secret heart
Waiting for someone to win?
Were you born of some queer magic
In your shimmering gown?
Is there something strange and tragic
Deep, deep down?
Half-caste woman, what are your slanting eyes
Waiting and hoping to see?
Scanning the far horizon
Wondering what the end will be.