Life Upon The Wicked Stage

Life Upon The Wicked Stage song lyrics – by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein, performed in ‘Till the Clouds Roll By, Show Boat

Life upon the wicked stage ain’t ever what a girl supposes
Stage door Johny’s outraging over you with gems and roses
When you let a fella hold your hand which means an extra beer or sandwich
Everybody whispers, Ain’t her life a world?

Though you’re warned against the rule, way ruining your reputation
When you played around the one night trade around the great big nation
Wild old man who give you jewels and sables only live in Aesop’s fables
Life upon the wicked stage is nothin’ for a girl

I admit it’s fun to smear my face with paint
Causing everyone to think I’m what I ain’t
And I’d like to play a Demi Monday roll with soul

Ask the hero, does he liked the way I lure
When I play a Hasie or a Parramore
Yet when once the gut feels down my life is pure and how I dread it

Life upon the wicked stage ain’t ever what a girl supposes
Stage door Johny’s outraging over you with gems and roses
If some gentleman we talk with reason, I would cancel all next season
Life upon the wicked stage ain’t nothin’ for a girl