John Kander
Don’t Tell Mama
[EMCEE]
Meine Damen und Herren, mesdames et messieurs, ladies and gentlemen
Und now, the Kit Kat Klub is proud to present
The toast of Mayfair
Fräulein Sally Bowles!
[SALLY, spoken]
Mama thinks I'm living in a convent
A secluded little convent
In the southern part of France
Mama doesn't even have an inkling
That I'm working in a nightclub
In a pair of lacy pants
[SALLY]
So please, sir
If you run into my mama
Don't reveal my indiscretion
Give a working girl a chance
Hush up, don't tell Mama
Shush up, don't tell Mama
Don't tell Mama whatever you do
If you had a secret
You bet I could keep it
I would never tell on you
I'm breaking every promise that I gave her
So won't you kindly do a girl a great big favor?
And please, my sweet potater
Keep this from the Mater
Though my dance is not against the law
You can tell my papa, that's all right
'Cause he comes in here every night
But don't tell Mama what you saw!
[KIT KAT GIRLS]
Mama thinks I'm on a tour of Europe
With a couple of my school chums
And a lady chaperone
Mama doesn't even have an inkling
That I left them all in Antwerp
And I'm touring on my own
So please, sir
If you run into my mama
Don't reveal my indiscretion
[SALLY]
Just leave well enough alone
[KIT KAT GIRLS]
Hush up
[SALLY]
Don't tell Mama
[KIT KAT GIRLS]
Shush up
[SALLY]
Don't tell Mama
[KIT KAT GIRLS]
Don't tell Mama
Whatever you do
[SALLY]
If you had a secret
You bet I could keep it
[KIT KAT GIRLS]
I would never tell on you
You wouldn't want to get me in a pickle
[SALLY]
And have her go and cut me off without a nickel
[KIT KAT GIRLS]
So let's trust one another
Keep this from my mother
Though I'm still as pure as mountain snow
[SALLY]
You can tell my uncle here and now
'Cause he's my agent anyhow
[KIT KAT GIRLS]
But don't tell Mama what you know
[SALLY]
You can tell my grandma, suits me fine
'Cause yesterday she joined the line
[KIT KAT GIRLS]
But don't tell Mama what you know
[SALLY]
You can tell my brother, that ain't grim
'Cause if he squeals on me, I'll squeal on him
[KIT KAT GIRLS]
But don't tell Mama, bitte
Don't tell Mama, please sir
Don't tell Mama what you know
Shh
Shh
[SALLY]
If you see my mummy, mum's the word!