Lyr Req: Cockeyed Optimist (Rodgers & Hammerstein)

Subject: I could say life is just a bowl of jello
From: Rosebrook
Date: 26 Dec 97 - 10:48 PM

There was a song we sang in grade school a gazillion years ago, and part of the lyrics were, "I could say life is just a bowl of jello, and appear more intelligent and smart. But I'm stuck like a dope with a thing called hope, and I can't get it out of my heart. Not this heart."

And me, I'm stuck with a song like this rolling around in my head for so long....Any clues on what the title might be and the complete lyrics?

Rosebrook

Subject: RE: I could say life is just a bowl of jello
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Dec 97 - 11:49 PM

Well, the song is "The Cockeyed Optimist" from "South Pacific." I went to my usual source for lyrics from musicals, and found that the Rodgers and Hammerstein organization had forced the site to shut down. Mary Martin (Nurse Nellie Forbush) sang the song on Broadway. There's a very nice recording of the song on the Julie Andrews album called "Broadway - the Music of Richard Rodgers."
I guess since this is a folk music site and sicne the Rodgers and Hammerstein folks are known to be particularly nasty, I'd better not post the lyrics here. Expect an e-mail.
-Joe Offer-