Queenie's Ballyhoo Lyrics > Show Boat

QUEENIE
Is de theatre fillin' up, Cap'n Andy?

ANDY
Yes, but there's nobody in the balcony.

QUEENIE
Dat's where de colored people sit.

ANDY
Well, why don't they come?

QUEENIE
'Cause you don't talk to 'em.

ANDY
Whaddaya mean don't talk to 'em? I ballyhooed
my lungs out this mornin'.

QUEENIE
People don't remember dat long.
Dis is how to get 'em!
(COLORED CHORUS gradually enters)
Hey!
Where yo' think you're goin'?
Don't yo' know dis show is startin' soon?
Hey!
Jes' a few seats left yere!
It's light inside an' outside dere's no moon.
What fo' you gals dressed up dicty?
Where's yo' all gwine?
Tell dose stingy men o' yourn
To step up here in line!
C'mon, folks, we're rarin' to go,
Is you or ain't you seein' dis show?
Get het up, dere'll be no let up, here!

CHORUS
Listen to dat gal talk!

QUEENIE
You'll be excited all night,
Grippin' yo' man an' holdin' him tight,
Two seats for twenty cents ain't so dear!
(drawing them to her confidentially)
Story's 'bout a lady in love,
Loves her man, but, Heavens above!
Dere's a villain bad as you ever see.

CHORUS
Um-um-um!

QUEENIE
White outside, but black in de heart,
Swears dose two young lovers to part,
He's de worstest scallawag dat can be.

CHORUS
Um-um-um!
(Her audience's eyes are beginning to pop out.
She becomes mysterious)

QUEENIE
He tries to get her alone,
You hear dat little gal moan, Ol' villain makin' her groan
Wid woe!

CHORUS
What does he do?
What does he do?
Tell us!

QUEENIE
He tries to choke her to death,
Den when she's almost out o' her breath,
Somebody comes a-rappin' at dat ol' door!

GIRLS
Open de door, oh, Lord!

MEN
How does de rest of it go?

QUEENIE
(chuckling)
Is you' or ain't yo' dyin' to know?
Step up an' buy yo' tickets
For' dis yere show!

(The chorus rushes to the box office window, L., buy
tickets from CAPTAIN ANDY. Presently he hangs up the
"Sold Out" sign. QUEENIE dances)
(BLACKOUT)
Last Update: December, 16th 2013