Album: Cabaret

Don't Tell Mama [Alan Cumming]



EMCEE:

And now, meine Damen und Herren
Mesdames et Messieurs...Ladies and Gentlemen -
The Kit Kat Club is proud to present a most talented young lady from England.
Yes - England! I give you -
and don't forget to give her back when you're finished with her -
the toast of Mayfair...Fräulein Sally Bowles!

SALLY:

Mama
Thinks I'm living in a convent
A secluded little convent
In the southern part of France

Mama
Doesn't even have an inkling
That I'm working in a nightclub
In a pair of lacy pants
So please, sir
If you run into my mama
Don't reveal my indiscretion
Give a working girl a chance

Hush up
Don't tell Mama
Shush up
Don't tell Mama...
Don't tell Mama
Whatever you do
If you had a secret
You bet I would keep it
I would never tell on you
I'm breaking every promise that I gave her
So won't you kindly do a girl a great, big favour?
And please, my sweet patater
Keep this from the mater
Though my dance is not against the law
You can tell my papa, that's all right
'Cause he comes in here every night
But don't tell Mama what you saw!

ALL:

Mama
Thinks I'm on a tour of Europe
With a couple of my school chums
And a lady chaperone
Mama
Doesn't even have an inkling
That I left them all in Antwerp
And I'm touring on my own
So please, sir
If you run into my mama
Don't reveal my indiscretion

SALLY:

Just leave well enough alone

Hush up

ALL:

Don't tell Mama

SALLY:

Shush up

ALL:

Don't tell Mama
Don't tell Mama
Whatever you do

SALLY:

If you had a secret
You bet I would keep it

ALL:

I would never tell on you
You wouldn't want to get me in a pickle

SALLY:

And have her go and cut me off without a nickel

ALL:

So let's trust on another
Keep this from my mother
Though I'm still as pure as mountain snow

SALLY:

You can tell my uncle
Here and now
'Cause he's my agent anyhow

KIT KAT GIRLS:

But don't tell Mama what you know

SALLY:

You can tell my grandma
Suits me fine
Just yesterday she joined the line

KIT KAT GIRLS:

But don't tell Mama what you know

SALLY:

You can tell my brother
That ain't grim
'Cause if he squeals on me
I'll squeal on him

ALL:

But don't tell Mama, bitte
Don't tell Mama, please sir
Don't tell Mama what you know

GIRLS:

Sssshh!
Sssshh!

SALLY:

If you see my mummy, mum's the word!

EMCEE:

Sally Bowles! Thank you, Sally! Isn't she beautiful!!
and she's from England! And thank you Rosie, Lulu, Frenchie, Texas, Fritzie, and Helga!