Lyr Add: When You Are Old and Grey (Gray)

Subject: Lyr Add: When You Are Old and Grey (Gray)
From: GUEST,Ken Brock
Date: 09 Jun 11 - 03:22 PM

I do not know how to add lyrics to digitrad. The songbook "Too Many Songs by Tom Lehrer" has the following lyric which Tom Lehrer added to the song for the 1980 revue TOMFOOLERY, following the line "...lose the ability". The intent was to change the song into a quartet, where first the woman sings some of the lines to the guy who has just insulted her, and then a male couple enters, and the older guy sings part to the younger. All 4 sing the "Your teeth..." closing.

While enjoying our compatibility,
I am cognisant of its fragility,
And I question the advisability
Of relying on its durability.
You're aware of my inflexibility
And my quintessential volatility
And the total inconceivability
Of my showing genuine humility.
Though your undeniable nubility
May excuse a certain puerility,
Your alleged indispensability
Underestimates my versatility,
And your boyish irresponsibility
And what now is charming juvenility
Will in time lose its adorability
And appear much more like imbecility.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When You Are Old and Grey (Gray)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 Jun 11 - 03:52 PM

Hi, Ken -

When you post songs for submission to the Digital Tradition, you should include the entire lyrics for the song, so it's absolutely clear what goes where. At the top of the lyrics, the title of the song should be in ALLCAPS, then the name of the songwriter in parentheses. Then skip a space before the text of the song. After the lyrics, include source information and any background information or notes.

The song (without your addition) can be found in the Digital Tradition. NightWing posted lyrics in 2001 (without the addition):

Thread #13930   Message #375176
Posted By: NightWing
15-Jan-01 - 08:18 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Eyes of Blue? / Smilin' Through (Penn)
Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN YOU ARE OLD AND GREY (Tom Lehrer)

It's obviously NOT the one you're looking for, but any excuse to toss out a Lehrer tune.

WHEN YOU ARE OLD AND GREY
(Tom Lehrer)

Since I still appreciate you,
Let's find love while we may.
Because I know I'll hate you
When you are old and grey.

So say you love me here and now,
I'll make the most of that.
Say you love and trust me,
For I know you'll disgust me
When you're old and getting fat.

An awful debility,
A lessened utility,
A loss of mobility
Is a strong possibility.

In all probability
I'll lose my virility
And you your fertility
And desirability,

And this liability
Of total sterility
Will lead to hostility
And a sense of futility,

So let's act with agility
While we still have facility,
For we'll soon reach senility
And lose the ability.

Your teeth will start to go, dear,
Your waist will start to spread.
In twenty years or so, dear,
I'll wish that you were dead.

I'll never love you then at all
The way I do today.
So please remember,
When I leave in December,
I told you so in May.

I've also heard that last verse done:

I'll never love you then at all
In these words you can trust.
So please remember,
When I leave in December,
I told you in August.

*LOL*

BB,
NightWing

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When You Are Old and Grey (Gray)
From: GUEST,WHEN YOU ARE OLD AND GREY
Date: 09 Jun 11 - 05:46 PM

WHEN YOU ARE OLD AND GREY
(Tom Lehrer)

(He): Since I still appreciate you,
Let's find love while we may.
Because I know I'll hate you
When you are old and gray.

So say you love me here and now,
I'll make the most of that.
Say you love and trust me,
For I know you'll disgust me
When you're old and getting fat.

An awful debility,
A lessened utility,
A loss of mobility
Is a strong possibility.
In all probability
I'll lose my virility
And you your fertility
And desirability,
And this liability
Of total sterility
Will lead to hostility
And a sense of futility,
So let's act with agility
While we still have facility,
For we'll soon reach senility
And lose the ability.

(She): While enjoying our compatibility,
I am cognisant of its fragility,
And I question the advisability
Of relying on its durability.
You're aware of my inflexibility
And my quintessential volatility
And the total inconceivability
Of my showing genuine humility.
Though your undeniable nubility
May excuse a certain puerility,
Your alleged indispensability
Underestimates my versatility,
And your boyish irresponsibility
And what now is charming juvenility
Will in time lose its adorability
And appear much more like imbecility.

(Both):

Your teeth will start to go, dear,
Your waist will start to spread.
In twenty years or so, dear,
I'll wish that you were dead.

I'll never love you then at all
The way I do today.
So please remember,
When I leave in December,
I told you so in May.

The additional lyric for the insulted female's rebuttal was added by Tom Lehrer for the 1980 revue of his works TOMFOOLERY, and is included in the songbook TOO MANY SONGS BY TOM LEHRER (WITH NOT ENOUGH DRAWINGS BY RONALD SEARLE).

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: When You Are Old and Grey (Gray)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 09 Jun 11 - 07:05 PM

That IS Scary ! I thought sixteen 'Ility's' was bad enough !!