Nothing Like the City Lyrics > Ragtime

TATEH:
Mister, please, where is this?

CONDUCTOR:
You're in New Rochelle. You can atke the rope off her.
This ain't the city.

LITTLE BOY:
Mother!

MOTHER:
I see! I see! He's afraid of losing her. Immigrants
are terrified of losing their children. So are we but
just not so conspicuously. Don't stare. It's not
polite to stare.

TATEH:
He's a rude little boy. Ignore him. poeople of good
breeding do not stare at other people. they acknowledge
htem politley with a bow... like this.

Good day.

MOTHER:
Good day, sir.

TATEH:
She called me "sir."
Without a doubt,
We're really out
Of New York City!

MOTHER:
Fine weather, isn't it?

TATEH:
Isn't it?
Now that we're out of the city,
Isn't it?

BOTH:
Nothing like the city...

LITTLE GIRL:
He's still staring.

TATEH:
Never mind.

LITTLE BOY:
My father's at the North Pole,
With Admiral Peary and eskimos!
Where is your mother?

LITTLE GIRL:
Dead.

MOTHER:
Edgar!

LITTLE BOY:
My name is Edgar. We're off
To visit out foreworks factory.
What is your name?

LITTLE GIRL:
No name.

LITTLE BOY:
That's impossible.
Everyone had a name,
Even the little Negro baby
Who lives in our attic!!!

MOTHER:
Sshh. Do not be rude!
He talks.

LITTLE BOY:
I never knew anyone
Who stayed on a rope
Like a puppy dog.
What does it feel like?

TATEH:
I see that.

LITTLE GIRL:
Safe.

MOTHER:
He also stares.

LITTLE BOY:
Safe?

MOTHER:
You'd think
He'd never
Seen someone
From New York City

LITTLE GIRL:
Yes.

LITTLE BOY:
Everyone's safe
In New Rochelle.

TATEH:
That's children,
Isn't it?

LITTLE GIRL:
Safe?

MOTHER:
Isn't it?

LITTLE BOY:
Yes.

BOTH:
Always another surprise,
Isn't it?

CONDUCTOR:
Boston Post Road trolley! Boston!

MOTHER:
Well.

TATEH:
Well.
Have a pleasant day, ma'am.

MOTHER:
Have a pleasant trip, sir...

MOTHER & TATEH:
Nothing like the city...

CONDUCTOR:
Mamaroneck! All aboard for Mamaroneck!

LITTLE BOY:
We know those peopl.

MOTHER:
That's ridiculous. They're poor foreigners.

LITTLE BOY:
Then we're going to know them.

MOTHER:
Who put such thoughts in your head?

Last Update: December, 05th 2013