Noël Coward - Mad Dogs And Englishmen lyrics

As recorded in London, September 20, 1932 In Tropical climes there are certain times of day When all the citizens retire To take their clothes off and perspire. It's one of those rules the greatest fools obey, Because the Sun is far too sultry and one must avoid its ultry-violet ray. The natives grieve when the white men leave their huts Because they're obviously definitely nuts! Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun, The Japanese don't care to, The Chinese wouldn't dare to. Hindus and Argentines sleep firmly from twelve till one, But Englishmen detest a siesta. In the Philipines They have lovely screens To protect you from the glare. In the Malay States There are hats like plates Which the Britishers won't wear. At twelve noon the natives swoon and no further work is done, But mad dogs and Englismen go out in the midday sun. It's such a surprise for the Eastern eyes to see That though the English are effete, They're quite impervious to heat. When the White Man rides every native hides in glee Because the simple creatures hope he Will impale his solar topee on a tree. It seems such a shame when the English claim the Earth That they give rise to such hilarity and mirth. Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha Ho-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho He-he-he-he-he-he-he Hm-hm-hm-hm-hm Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun. The toughest Burmese bandit Can never understand it. In Rangoon the heat of noon Is just what the natives shun, They put their Scotch or Rye down And lie down. In a jungle town Where the Sun beats down To the rage of man and beast The English garb Of the English sahib Merely gets a bit more creased. In Bangkok At twelve o'clock They foam at the mouth and run, But mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun. Mad dogs and Englshmen go out in the midday sun. The smallest Malay rabbit Deplores this foolish habit. In Hong Kong They strike a gong And fire off a noonday gun To reprimand each inmate Who's in late. In the mangorve swamps Where the python romps There is peace from twelve till two. Even caribous Lie around and snooze, For there's nothing else to do. In Bengal To move at all Is seldom if ever done, But mad dogs and Englishmen go— Out in the midday, Out in the midday, Out in the midday, Out in the midday, Out in the midday, Out in the midday, Out in the midday sun. As recorded at Las Vegas in June, 1955 In tropical climes there are certain times of day When all the citizens retire To tear their clothes off and perspire. It's one of those rules the greatest fools obey, Because the Sun is far too sultry And one must avoid its ultry-violet ray Papkalaka-papalaka-papalaka-boo (That's natives) Digariga-digariga-digariga-do The natives grieve when the white men leave their huts, Because they're obviously, definitely, nuts! Mad dogs and Englishmen Go out in the midday sun The Japanese don't care to, The Chinese wouldn't dare to Hindus and Argentines sleep firmly from twelve till one But Englishmen detest a siesta. In the Philippines They have lovely screens To protect you from the glare In the Malay States There are hats like plates Which the Britishers won't wear At twelve noon The natives swoon And no further work is done. But mad dogs and Englishmen Go out in the midday sun. It's such a surprise for the Eastern eyes to see That though the English are effete, They're quite impervious to heat When the White Man rides, every native hides in glee, Because the simple creatures hope he Will impale his solar topee on a tree Habanini-habanini-habanini-hah (Same natives, pay no attention) Digariga-digariga-digariga-dah It seems such a shame when the English claim the Earth That they give rise to such hilarity and mirth Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha (Oh, dear.) Mad dogs and Englishmen Go out in the midday sun The smallest Malay rabbit deplores this foolish habit In Hong Kong they strike a gong and fire off a noonday gun To reprimand each inmate, who's in late In a jungle town Where the Sun beats down To the rage of man and beast The English garb Of the English Sahib Merely gets a bit more creased In Bangkok At twelve o'clock They foam at the mouth and run But mad dogs and Englishmen Go out in the midday sun Mad dogs and Englishmen Go out in the midday sun The toughest Burmese bandit Can never understand it In Rangoon the heat of noon is just what the natives shun They put their Scotch or Rye down and lie down In the mangrove swamps Where the python romps There is peace from twelve till two Even caribous Lie around and snooze For there's nothing else to do In Bengal To move at all Is seldom if ever done But mad dogs and Englishmen Go out in the midday Out in the midday Out in the midday Out in the midday Out in the midday Out in the midday Out in the midday sun