Stephen Flaherty Nothing Like the City

Tekst piosenki

TATEH (spoken):
Mister, please, where is this?

CONDUCTOR (spoken):
You’re in New Rochelle. You can take the rope off her. This ain’t the city

LITTLE BOY (spoken):
Mother!

MOTHER (spoken):
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 (spoken):
He’s a rude little boy. Ignore him. People of good breeding do not stare at other people. They acknowledge them politely with a bow – like this

TATEH:
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 (spoken):
He’s still staring!

TATEH (spoken):
Never mind

LITTLE BOY:
My father’s at the North Pole
With Admiral Peary and Eskimos
Where is your mother?

LITTLE GIRL:
Dead

MOTHER (spoken):
Edgar!

LITTLE BOY:
My name is Edgar
We’re off to visit our fireworks factory
What is your name?

LITTLE GIRL:
No name

LITTLE BOY:
That’s impossible
Everyone has a name
Even the little Negro baby
Who lives in our attic

MOTHER:
Shh – 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 (spoken):
Boston Post Road trolley! Boston!

MOTHER (spoken):
Well

TATEH (spoken):
Well

TATEH:
Have a pleasant day, ma’am

MOTHER:
Have a pleasant trip, sir

BOTH:
Nothing like the city

CONDUCTOR (spoken):
Mamaroneck! All aboard for Mamaroneck!

LITTLE BOY (spoken):
We know those people

MOTHER (spoken):
That’s ridiculous. They’re poor foreigners

LITTLE BOY (spoken):
Then we’re going to know them

MOTHER (spoken):
Who put such thoughts in your head?