Candide: Act I. Glitter and Be Gay
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Glitter and be gay
That's the part I play
Here I am in Paris, France
Forced to bend my soul
To a sordid role
Victimized by bitter, bitter circumstance
Alas for me! Had I remained
Beside my lady mother
My virtue had remained unstained
Until my maiden hand was claimed
By some grand duke or other
But 'twas not to be
Harsh necessity
Brought me to this gilded cage
Want of higher things
Here I droop, my friends
Ah, singing of a sorrow
Nothing can assuage
And yet, of course, I rather like to revel
I have no strong objection to champagne
My wardrobe's expensive as the devil
Perhaps it is ignoble to complain
Enough, enough
Of being basely tearful
I'll show my noble stuff
By being bright and cheerful
Ah, ah
Pearls and ruby rings
Oh, how can worldly things
Take the place of honor lost?
Can they compensate for my fallen state
Purchased as they were
At such an awful cost?
Bracelets, loveliers
Can they dry my tears?
Can they blind my eyes to shame?
Can the brightest brooch
Shield me from reproach?
Can the purest diamond
Purify my name?
And yet, of course, these trinkets are endearing
I'm oh so glad my sapphire is a star
I rather like a twenty carat earring
If I'm not pure, at least my jewels are
Enough, enough
I'll take their diamond necklace
And show my noble stuff
By being gay and reckless
Ah, ah
Observe how grieve I conceal
The dreadful, dreadful shame I feel
Ah, ah