I Don’t Know His Name
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What's he like, Amalia?
Tell me all about him
(Sung)
I don't know his name or what he looks like
But I have a much more certain guide
I can tell exactly what he looks like inside
When I undertook this correspondence
Little did I know I'd grow so fond
Little did I know our views would so correspond
He writes me what his feelings are
On Shaw, Flaubert, Chopin, Renoir
The more I read, the more I find
We're one in mind and heart
I know the kind of home we'd share
The books, the prints, the music there
A home, a life that's warm and full
And rich in love and art
I don't need to see his handsome profile
I don't need to see his manly frame
All I need to know is in each letter
Each long revealing letter
I couldn't know him better
If I knew his name
(Spoken)
Oh, I know him so well, Ilona
I know that he's a very successful person
And terribly well-educated
And he's gentle and kind and soft-spoken
I know all this about him
And so much more
It's just that I've never met him, that's all
If he isn't too handsome
It doesn't much matter
But his personal habits
Are more important than his looks
Supposing he snores like a locomotive
Supposing he grinds his teeth
Supposing he's a knuckle-cracker
Amalia, good luck with your books
And another small detail
That you haven't yet mentioned
I'm speaking of sex, dear
When you and he are all alone
Come to think of it, maybe you're right
That it doesn't matter at that
Maybe I'd do much better myself
Than any library clerk
He writes his papers fast and neat
Swift, clear, and deft, you see
The mark, the style, the laugh, the touch
The feel, the style, the fold
He thinks as I, he feels as I
He shares the same ideas as I
And every time I'm glad
His soul seems far beyond
I know
I don't need to see his handsome profile
I was taken in by someone's profile
I don't need to see his manly frame
I was taken in by someone's frame
All I need to know is in each letter
How I could have used one
Each long revealing letter
I couldn't love him better
I knew him much better
If I knew his name
I knew his name
What's in a name?