There's always something fishy about the French Lyrics

1934 West End and Broadway
Conversation Piece the Musical - There's always something fishy about the French Lyrics

Music and lyrics by Noël Coward.

(Verse:)
A life of love is curious
But not injurious
If you are wise,

For you get pleasure, leisure
Knowledge to treasure
After the gay life dies

True men we seldom find to us
They're often kind to us.
And entre nous
English gentlemen,
Spanish noblemen
Indian merchantmen too
Always play the game,
Never cause us shame.

(Refrain: 1)
But there’s always something fishy
about the French!
Whether Prince or Politician
We've a sinister suspicion
That behind their savoir-faire
They share
A common contempt
For every mother's son of us.
Though they smile and smirk
We know they’re out for dirty work
So we're most polite
But don't put out the night light
Every wise and thoroughly worldly wench
Knows there's always something fishy
about the French

(Refrain: 2)
Oh, there’s always something fishy about
the French!
As a Race, they’re conscientious
But undoubtedly licentious,
Tho’ the compliments they pay
Are gay
And ever so nice,
We don’t believe a word of them.
They may kiss our hands
And talk to us of foreign lands.
We “Toi” and “Moi”
And watch for “Je ne sais quoi.”
Every time their fingers begin to clench—
Well, we know there’s something fishy
about the French!

Conversation Piece the Musical Lyrics

I'll follow my secret heart
Regency Rakes
Charming! Charming! Charming!
There's always something fishy about the French
English lesson – The tree is in the garden
There was once a little village
Mothers and wives
Nevermore