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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

When Molly discovers that Reggie's attentions to the geishas are wholly inappropriate, she unburdens her heart to to Mimosa, who suggests that Molly could disguise herself as a geisha. From that side of the fence she could take evasive action. However, Mimosa points out in song, such a life is not all the enjoyment that is suggested on the face of it . . .

A Geisha's Life
(Very short intro!)

A geisha's life imagination tints
With all the charming colour of the rose,
And people won't believe her when she hints
Its beauties are not quite what they suppose.
Because I'm rather quaint and picturesque,
They think that for a butterfly like me
Existence is delightfully grotesque - 
How very much mistaken folks may be!
(Interlude - change to waltz-time . . .)

"Oh, dance, my little geisha gay,
And sing your pretty songs!" they say;
But don't you see 
It's hard on me
Who sing and dance the live-long day?
"Oh, dance . . . and sing . . . your pretty songs!"
They say;
But don't you see
It's hard on me
Who sing the live-long day?
(Very short interlude!)

And ever as my Samisen¹ I play
Come lovers at my pretty feet to fall,
Who fancy - till I bid them run away - 
A geisha's heart has room enough for all!
Yet Love may work his will, if so he please;
His magic can a woman's heart unlock
As well beneath kimono Japanese
As under any smart Parisian frock.
(Interlude - change to waltz-time again . . .)

"We love you, little geisha gay!
Oh, won't you love us too?" they say;
But don't you see
It's lost on me
Who hear the same thing day by day?
"Oh, dance . . . and sing . . . your pretty songs!"
They say;
But don't you see
It's hard on me
Who sing the live-long day . . .?
(Step forward the Coloraturas!)

Who sing -   ah^^^^^^    ah^^^^^^    ah^^^^^^
ah . . . . . ah^^^^^^

Hmmm! Food for thought? Not only the top E flat! But also the insight into a geisha's lifestyle described. Did you enjoy a good sing with Mimosa?

Next, shall we take a peek at The Toy Monkey . . .?

1.    Footnote: A Samisen is a Japanese three string guitar, without frets. It has strings of waxed silk, and is played by a plectrum called a 'batsi'. Can you hear a touch of it at this point in our MusicSmiles arrangement? Return to story.

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