Gilbert and Sullivan - If you want to know who we are [tekst, tłumaczenie i interpretacja piosenki]

(Chorus of Nobles:)
If you want to know who we are
We are gentlemen of Japan:
On many a vase and jar —
On many a screen and fan
We figure in lively paint:
Our attitude's queer and quaint —
You're wrong if you think it ain't
Ooooh!

If you think we are worked by strings
Like a Japanese marionette
You don't understand these things:
It is simply Court etiquette
Perhaps you suppose this throng
Can't keep it up all day long?
If that's your idea, you're wrong
Ooooh! Ooooh!
If that's your idea, you're wrong

If you want to know who we are
We are gentlemen of Japan:
On vase and jar
On screen and fan
On many, many, many, many
Many, many, many, many, a jar
Ooooh! Ooooh! Ooooh! Ooooh!
On vase and jar
On screen and fan

[Enter Nanki-Poo in great excitement
He carries a native guitar on his back
And a bundle of ballads in his hand]

(Nanki-Poo:)
Gentlemen, I pray you tell me
Where a gentle maiden dwelleth
Named Yum-Yum, the ward of Ko-Ko?
In pity speak, oh speak I pray you!

(A Noble:)
Why, who are you who ask this question?

(Nanki-Poo:)
Come gather round me, and I'll tell you