OK, here's my transcription:

ALDONZA
(music by Mitch Leigh, lyrics by Joe Darion, 1965)

^^ [Quixote-spoken] "My Lady!"
[Aldonza-spoken] "I am not your lady. I am not any KIND of a lady!"


I was spawned in a ditch
By a mother who left me there
Naked and cold and too hungry to cry
I never blamed her
I'm sure she left hoping
That I'd have the good sense to die.

Then, of course, there's my father
I'm told that young ladies
Can point to their fathers with maidenly pride
Mine was some regiment
Here for an hour
I can't even tell you which side.

So of course, I became, as befitted my delicate birth
The most casual bride of the murdering scum of the earth.

[Quixote-spoken] "And still thou art my lady!"
[Aldonza-spoken] "And still he torments me! How should I be a lady?"

For a lady has modest and maidenly airs
And a virtue I somehow suspect that I lack
It's hard to remember these maidenly airs
In a stable, laid flat on your back.

Won't you look at me, LOOK at me
God, won't you look at me
Look at the kitchen slut, reeking of sweat
Born on a dungheap, to die on a dungheap
A strumpet men use and forget.

If you feel that you see me not quite at my virginal best,
Cross my palm with a coin and I'll willingly show you the rest!

[Quixote-spoken] "Never deny thou art, Dulcinea!"
[Aldonza-spoken] "Take the clouds from your eyes and see me as I really am."

You have shown me the sky, but what good is the sky
To a creature who'll never do better than crawl?
Of all the cruel devils who badgered and battered me,
You are the cruelest of all.

Can't you see what your gentle insanities do to me
Rob me of anger and give me despair
Blows and abuse I can take and give back again;
Tenderness I cannot bear.

So, don't reach out to me when your sweet Dulcinea you call,
I am only Aldonza, I'm no one, I'm nothing at all.

[Quixote-spoken] "Now and forever! thou art my lady Dulcinea!" (unclear)
[Aldonza-screams]


transcribed from the Broadway cast CD of Man of La Mancha


filename[ ALDONZA
MLM
oct99