Bride's Lament

Act Two of the Drowsy Chaperone begins with this

A haunting lament from a very depressed bride

Now, when you're listening to this, um, try to ignore the lyrics

I know it'll be difficult, but block them out, they're not the best

But the tune is beautiful, and it truly communicates

The bride's state of mind

Just ignore the lyrics

I put a monkey on a pedestal

And tried to make that monkey stay

And he did for a time

But he needed to climb

And with other monkeys play

Far away

He left his jacket on that pedestal

Beside his tiny rusty cup

And I haven't got the strength to pick them up

Oh monkey, monkey, monkey

You broke my heart in two

But I'll always save that pedestal

For you

Come, my little monkey

Come, my little monkey, do

The melody is so simple, it just floats in the air

And I must confess I always get a little misty when I think of that

Tiny jacket, lying on that pedestal

Its long sleeves dangling on the floor

Oh, monkey, monkey, monkey

You broke my heart in two

But I'll always save that pedestal

Pedestal

For you

Come, my little monkey

Come, my little monkey, do

Okay, here we go

Wait, who are you?

I'm Janet Van De Graaff

Do you need anyone?

I don't need anyone

What about the love of one man?

What do I care about the love of one man

When I am adored by millions

Do I need to be so gloomy?

No, no, no

I could rule the world if so I chose

Sigmund Freud sends flowers to me every show

Gertrude Stein, she handed me a rose

Now she really, let's go

I'm Janet

Janet Van De Graaff

Ain't no nail that I can't hammer

Why give up a life of glamour?

Life of glamour

Life of glamour

No

Monkey, monkey

I love this part

Monkey, monkey

She's having a complete mental breakdown

Monkey, monkey, monkey

I'm an accident waiting to happen (Monkey, monkey, monkey)

I don't want to show off no more (Monkey, monkey)

I don't want to spread mirth no more (Monkey, monkey)

Be the greatest on Earth no more

I don't wanna

I wanna

I don't wanna

I wanna

I don't, I do

I don't, I do

I don't wanna show off

Stay Janet, stay Janet

Stay up on the stage, Janet

Millions want to see you shine

And I think sure, Janet, sure, Janet

Future is secured, Janet

Millions will do just fine

But any future I could ever care to shape

Includes just one two timing cad who drives me ape

She put a monkey on a pedestal (Oh, Robert, what a fool I've been)

And tried to make that monkey stay

(A hapless fool, I know now that I love you)

And he did for a time (And I've thrown it all away)

But he needed to climb (I love you, monkey)

And with other monkeys play (But is love enough? Is love ever enough?)

That's the story of a monkey gone astray

I ask (Monkey, monkey)

The stars (Monkey, monkey)

Above

Is it the monkey or my pedestal

I love?