Lyrics: Alan Jay Lerner
Music: Frederick Loewe
"Eliza (sings)
Bed! Bed! I couldn’t go to bed!
My head’s too light to try to set it down!
(She rises, the other Servant straightens up the sofa.)
Sleep! Sleep! I couldn’t sleep tonight!
Not for all the jewels in the crown!
(Mrs Pearce crosses to desk, Eliza crosses to wing chair, sits.)
I could have danced all night!
I could have danced all night!
And still have begged for more.
I could have spread my wings
And done a thousand things
I’ve never done before.
(She sits bolt upright.)
I’ll never know
What made it so exciting;
Why all at once
My heart took flight.
I only know when he
Began to dance with me,
I could have danced, danced, danced, all night!
First Maid (sings)
It’s after three, now,
Second Maid (sings)
Don’t you agree, now,
Both Maids
She ought to be in bed?
Eliza (simultaneously with Maids)
I could have danced all night!
I could have danced all night!
And still have begged for more.
I could have spread my wings
And done a thousand things
I’ve never done before.
Maids (simultaneously with Eliza)
First Maid
You’re tired out.
Second Maid
You must be dead.
First Maid
Your face is drawn.
Second Maid
Your eyes are red.
Both Maids
Now say goodnight, please.
Turn out the light, please.
It’s really time
For you to be in bed.
First Maid
Do come along,
Do as you’re told.
Second Maid
Or Mrs Pearce
Is apt to scold.
Both Maids
You’re up too late, miss,
And sure as fate, miss,
You’ll catch a cold.
(Mrs Pearce and a Maid cross into library and get comforter.)
Eliza (solo)
I’ll never know
What made it so exciting;
Why all at once
My heart took flight.
(They return with comforter.)
I only know when he
Began to dance with me
I could have danced, danced, danced, all night!
(They cover Eliza.)
First and Second Maid (singing simultaneously with Eliza from the point where they return with comforter)
First Maid
Put down your book.
Second Maid
The work’ll keep.
Both Maids
Now settle down
And go to sleep.
(The Maids exit.)
Mrs Pearce (As Eliza rests she sings over her:)
I understand, dear.
It’s all been grand, dear.
But now it’s time to sleep.
(Mrs Pearce turns out the lights.)
Eliza (after lights go out, from sofa)
I could have danced all night!
I could have danced all night!
And still have begged for more.
I could have spread my wings
And done a thousand things
I’ve never done before.
(She throws off the comforter and sits up.)
I’ll never know
What made it so exciting;
Why all at once
My heart took flight.
(She rises.)
I only know when he
Began to dance with me,
I could have danced, danced, danced, all night!"