Gilbert and Sullivan Archive The Rose of Persia Song No. 7 Tramps and scamps and halt and blind

CD 1 Track 8

MIDI File

Enter Hassan from street, bringing with him a crowd of ragged beggars, cripples, etc. His wives enter from the house and busy themselves in handing refreshments to the men, under Hassan's direction.

Men:

Tramps and scamps

And halt and blind,

Empty beggar and cringing cripple too!

Maimed and lamed,

Who've wailed and whined

Since the morning for food and tipple too!

Here is truly hospitality!

Take your seats without formality!

Drown our care, conviviality!

While there is sunshine make your hay!

Wives:

Tramps and scamps

Of every kind —

Baksheesh beggar and cringing cripple too —

Maimed and lamed

And halt and blind

Take his victuals and drink his tipple too!

Here's mistaken hospitality!

Disregard for all formality!

Crazy unconventionality!

What will his friends and neighbours say?

Hassan (to Beggars):

My friends I am a fool!

'Tis luck for you that I'm no wiser!

All:

Why, sir? Wiser?

Hassan:

With all impostors such as you

I am a sympathiser!

All:

Fie, sir! Fie, sir!

(to one another).

He knows we are impostors,

And he is a sympathiser!

(to Hassan).

But why do you on swindlers

Cast a sympathising eye, sir?

Hassan:

I've been one too!

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Updated 25 July 1999