Cats - The Naming Of Cats Lyrics

Broadway
Cats the Musical - The Naming Of Cats Lyrics


What's a Jellicle Cat?

The naming of cats is a difficult matter
It isn't just one of your holiday games
You may think at first I'm as mad as a hatter
When I tell you a cat must have three different names

First of all, there's the name that the family use daily
Such as Peter, Augustus, Alonzo or James
Such as Victor or Jonathan, George or Bill Bailey
All of them sensible, everyday names

There are fancier names if you think they sound sweeter
Some for the gentlemen, some for the dames
Such as Plato, Admetas, Electra, Demeter
But all of them sensible everyday names

But I tell you a cat needs a name that's particular
A name that's peculiar, and more dignified
Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular
Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride?

Of names of this kind, I can give you a quorum
Such as Munkustrap, Quaxo or Coricopat
Such as Bombalurina, or else Jellylorum
Names that never belong to more than one cat

But above and beyond there's still one name left over
And that is the name that you never will guess
The name that no human research can discover
But the at himself knows, and will never confess

When you notice a cat in profound meditation
The reason, I tell you, is always the same:
His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation
Of the thought
Of the thought
Of the thought
Of his name

His ineffable, effable, effanineffable
Deep, and inscrutable, singular name (echo)


 

Review: Cats the Musical Songs Lyrics


Cats the Musical Lyrics

SYNOPSIS
Prolugue: Jellicle Songs For Jellicle Cats
The Naming Of Cats
The Invitation To The Jellicle Ball
The Old Gumbie Cat
The Rum Tum Tugger
Grizabella: The Glamour Cat
Bustopher Jones
Mungojerrie And Rumpelteazer
Old Deuteronomy
The Jellicle Ball
The Moments Of Happiness
Gus: The Theatre Cat
Growltiger's Last Stand
Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat
Macavity: The Mystery Cat
Mr. Mistoffelees
Memory
The Journey To The Heaviside Layer
Finale: The Ad-dressing Of Cats