The lyrics of this song
'Tact' from the Musical Comedy, Florodora resonate with experiences
many of us have had with
certain social stereotypes! And Lady Holyrood (say the name slowly, in two equal
syllables and you'll get the message!) is
certainly a social stereotype, who crosses our paths occasionally! She
introduces us to her innovative interpretation of Tact with all the
vivacity and amusement of a creative team of librettist and seasoned performer. The musical
score is delightful, and our percussion and wind sections have expended considerable efforts
(and had great fun) adding a few MusicSmiles
special effects to Leslie's score. We're sure there would have been some in the
show. . .!
Lady
Holyrood was played by Miss Ada Reeve, a star comedienne of her day. In fact the
part was specially created for her, and she stole the show with her stage antics
- night after night.
Tact
(Brief Introduction)
Solo: There
are people who have tried
To be smart and dignified,
But there's just one little thing that they have lacked;
They have cash enough may be,
And no end of pedigree,
But they haven't got a pennyworth of tact.
Now you wouldn't tell a lie -
Oh no; you'd rather die -
For you'd sure to be discovered before long;
But if only tact you've got,
You can do an awful lot,
Which before you might have thought was very wrong.
Chorus (Unison): Tact,
tact,
Take it for a fact -
Just try it,
And you'll find it will invariably act;
P'raps they told you in your youth
That there's nothing like the truth,
But it really can't compare at all
With tact, tact, tact,
No it really can't compare at all with tact.
(Brief Interlude)
Solo: In
the
morning you will drive
Into Bond Street, and you dive
Into Carmichael's or Truefitt's, as may be;
Then at Streeter's you will stop,
And you pop inside the shop -
"Ah! good morning, something nice to show to me?"
"A tiara?" "Oh, what fun!
I think I'll take that one.
Oh dear me! I do believe my brougham1
has gone!"
Never speak about the price,
Just talk pretty and look nice,
And ask him how his wife is getting on.
Chorus (Unison): Tact,
tact,
Take it for a fact -
Always kiss a tradesman's baby,
And you'll find that it will act;
When you find out what you owe
Into bankruptcy you go -
Oh! you can save a lot of money if you've tact.
You can save a lot of money if you've tact.
Brief Interlude)
Solo: The
Academy you view
If you've nothing else to do -
If you're really fond of art, of course you don't;
Then a pianist you know,
And you promise you will go
To his concerts - if you're musical, you won't;
Then a gorgeous gown you buy,
The price is cut so high -
Well, considering the gown is cut so low -
For the lady of today
hasn't got a heart, they say,
But she's got a neck -
And that she means to show.
Chorus (Unison): Tact,
tact,
Take it for a fact,
Her dining dress has no support,
And yet it seems to act;
And her costume at a ball
Is not "material" at all,
It's enough if she has diamonds - and tact.
It's enough if she has diamonds - and tact.
Brief Interlude)
Solo: Then
at Goodwood you must stay,
And roulette of course you play,
For the evenings otherwise would be so slow;
But you needn't be upset
If you find yourself in debt -
If you're not inclined to pay, you simply owe.
Well, next day you're on the course,
You fancy just one horse,
So a friend will put the money on for you;
For a lady in the ring
Wouldn't be the proper thing -
And besides - you've lost your purse -
You always do.
Chorus (Unison): Thats,
tact, tact,
Take it for a fact,
The race is done -
You cannot see the horse that you have backed;
So you say, "What have you done?
I meant to back the horse that won!"
You can do a lot of betting if you've tact.
Solo: You can do a lot of betting
All If you've tact.
But
we've all got something of an Inkling
about these things . . .!
1. Footnote: A
brougham was a closed carriage, drawn by one horse. It was named after Lord
Brougham (1778-1868). The name continued to be used for an early type of motor
car with an open-top driver's seat. Return
to story.
