I Don't Understand the Poor

i say you there
hands off that sword
put down that book
isn't enough we let you look?
i hate to dash your futile, little hopes
but you pay your sixpence
and stay behind the rope!
i cringe when every cobbler
or butcher
or farmer
comes touching my banisters
banging my armour
they finger every finial
they poke your cornerstone
who'd want to be reminded
of what they'll never own?
Though my politics are purely democratical
i find the species highly problematical
i don't understand the poor
i don't understand the poor
the lives they lead
of want and need
i should think it would be a bore
it seems to be nothing but stubborness
oh what's all the suffering for?
to be so debased
is in terrible taste
i don't understand the poor
ENSEMBLE
to be so debased
is in terrible taste
i don't understand
to summarize the heretofor
he does not understand the poor
LORD ADALBERT:
i dont understand the poor
and theyre constantly turning out more
every festering slum
in christendom
is disgorging its young by the score
i suppose there are some with ambition
say the pickpocket, beggar, or whore
from what i can tell
they do quite well
theyre rising above
and its work they love
but, i dont understand the poor
theyre rising above
and its work they love
but, i dont understand the poor
LORD ALDABERT
wheres the dignity? (ensemble: wheres the dignity?)
wheres the pride? (wheres the pride)
the ignominity (ig...?)
putting the lame and the halt aside
why accept charity?
i am perplexed by their attitude
i contend we extend them too much latitude
my tenants have no excuse
at christmas we give them a goose
wheres the integrity?
wheres the gratitude?
i dont understand the poor
how i long for days of yore
when nary a vessel
stepped into your castle
they knew not to darken your door
now they barge in every tuesday
with a sickening, thickening roar.
why clatter and trample?
set an example
we teach them to read
but do they succeed?
when theyre hungry and frail
we feed them in jail
we send them off to wa
i dont understand
im not being grand
i dont understand the poor
ENSEMBLE
i dont understand
im not being grand
I dont understand...
LORD ADALBERT
Ooh theres one i admit i adore
hes missing a leg
but a very good egg
a gentleman throught o the core
well, he may be a bit of a drinker
he can often be found on the floor
through all of his pains
he never complains
hes bright and astute
a shame that hes mute
according to mother
he may be my brother
a fact we all choose to ignore
but, i dont understand
im sensitive and
i dont understand.
ENSEMBLE
i dont understand
im sensitive and
i dont understand
LORD ADALBERT
theyre a pox on the land!
ENSEMBLE
i dont understand
LORD ADALBERT
i dont understand
ALL
i dont understand the poor
ENSEMBLE
dont understand
LORD ADALBERT
Really i dont!