[COALHOUSE, spoken]
The good Lord looked down and saw me lonely and loveless. And He thought to Himself, "Enough is enough. I'm putting
Sarah in Coalhouse's life."

(sung)
And he did

(spoken)
This wasn't a woman. This was an angel. She was a gift of God. Coalhouse loved this woman, but not wisely and not too well. She left me without a trace. There was no pity for me

[SARAH'S FRIEND, spoken]
None at all, Coalhouse. 

[COALHOUSE]
Call me a fool
Oh yes, I was
Now she is haunting me
Just like a melody—
The only song I seem to know
Sarah, my life has changed
Sarah, I miss you so
Sarah, I did you wrong
Sarah, where did you go?

(spoken)
I asked everywhere. Knocked on many doors. And then this morning, the miracle happened. Yeah, I found out where she is and I'm going to do my damnedest to see she takes me back. Ladies and gentlemen, the Gettin' Ready Rag! Come on!
[The scene opens out to other parts of Harlem as COALHOUSE recreates himself.]

[ENSEMBLE]
Gettin' Ready Rag

[COALHOUSE, spoken]
That's it, that's it. Alright. 

[ENSEMBLE]
Gettin' Ready Rag

[Dance break.]

[ENSEMBLE]
Gettin', Gettin'
Gettin' Ready Rag

[WOMEN]
Anything it takes

[MEN]
Anything you need

[ENSEMBLE]
Gotta find your girl, Coalhouse
And win her back
[COALHOUSE dances through Harlem getting a change of clothes, a haircut, a shave, etc.]

[COALHOUSE]
Sarah, my life has changed
Sarah, I'll make it so
You'll take one look at me
Somehow I know you'll know