Carefully On Tip-toe Stealing

Gilbert And Sullivan

Carefully on tiptoe stealing,

Breathing gently as we may,

Every step with caution feeling,

We will softly steal away.



(Captain stamps) -- Chord.

ALL (much alarmed).

Goodness me--

Why, what was that?

DICK.

Silent be,

It was the cat!



ALL. (reassured).

It was -- it was the cat!

CAPT. They're right, it was the cat!



ALL.

Pull ashore in fashion steady,

Hymen will defray the fare,

For a clergyman is ready

To unite the happy pair!



(Stamp as before, and Chord.)

ALL.

Goodness me,

Why, what was that?



DICK.

Silent be,

Again the cat!



ALL.

It was again that cat!



CAPT. (aside).

They're right, it was the cat!



JOS. and RALPH CAPTAIN DICK SAILORS

Ev'ry step with caution feeling,

We will softly steal away,

Ev'ry step

Every step with caution feeling,

We will softly steal away,

Ev'ry step



CAPT.Hold!

Pretty daughter of mine,

I insist upon knowing

Where you may be going

With these sons of the brine,

For my excellent crew,

Though foes they could thump any,

Are scarcely fit company,

My daughter, for you.



CREW.

Now, hark at that, do!

Though foes we could thump any,

We are scarcely fit company

For a lady like you!



RALPH.

Proud officer, that haughty lip uncurl!

Vain man, suppress that supercilious sneer,

For I have dared to love your matchless girl,

A fact well known to all my messmates here!



CAPT.

Oh, horror!