Langston Hughes
Wrapped in a Ribbon and Tied in a Bow
[NEIGHBORS, variously]
Here they are
It's Jenny coming home from the graduation
Tell us how it happened, Jenny

[JENNY, spoken]
Well
(sung)
We sat in our snowy white dresses
And then it was my turn to go
"Your diploma!" they said, and I took it
Wrapped in a ribbon and tied in a bow
I felt like it must feel in heaven
What greater joy was there to know?
Then my mother gave me all these flowers

[JENNY & NEIGHBORS]
Wrapped in a ribbon and tied in a bow

[JENNY]
Happy me!
Could it be what I dared to hope in my heart
That I was the best in the scholarship test
Of the Gillihan School of Applied Commercial Art?
I could hardly believe when I heard it
On you we most proudly bestow
[CHARLIE & MARY]
This here annual Gillihan trophy!

[JENNY & NEIGHBORS]
Wrapped in a ribbon and tied in a bow

[NEIGHBORS]
Good for you! Good for you!
And for you, and for you, and you too!

[LIPPO, spoken]
That's fine, Mrs. Hildebrand
Makes you feel okay, I betcha

[MRS. HILDEBRAND, spoken]
Yes it does, I feel so proud and happy
But when I think of tomorrow and how we're all going to be dispossessed—
Oh, it's just so awful!

[MRS. MAURRANT]
Don't think of unhappy tomorrow
A brighter day's coming, I know
And I'm sure you will find more good fortune

[NEIGHBORS]
Wrapped in a ribbon and tied in a bow
[GIRLS]
School is done. Let's have fun
Let's kick out that old Mister Blues

[GIRLS & NEIGHBORS]
Come on, take my hand
It is grand, it is grand
To be young and be gay and be singing out the news

[NEIGHBORS]
To our street has come good news and glory
Wrapped in a ribbon and tied in a bow