I Don't Understand the Poor

[00:00.91] I say, you there. Hands off that sword. Put down that book.
[00:09.09] Isn't it enough we let you look?
[00:10.81] I hate to dash your futile, little hopes
[00:15.33] But you pay your sixpence
[00:18.17] And stay behind the ropes
[00:22.65] I cringe when every cobbler
[00:24.42] Or butcher
[00:26.22] Or farmer
[00:27.18] Comes touching my bannisters
[00:28.99] Banging my armour
[00:31.70] They finger every finial
[00:33.53] They poke your cornerstone
[00:36.27] Who'd want to be reminded
[00:38.96] Of what they'll never own?
[00:43.49] Though my politics are purely democratical
[00:48.02] I find the species frankly problematical
[00:55.28] I don't understand the poor
[00:58.88] I don't understand the poor
[01:02.56] The lives they lead
[01:03.43] Of want and need
[01:05.23] I should think it would be a bore
[01:08.85] It seems to be nothing but stubbornness
[01:11.58] So what's all the suffering for?
[01:15.25] To be so debased
[01:16.10] Is in terrible taste
[01:19.78] I don't understand the poor
[01:21.53] To be so debased
[01:22.46] Is in terrible taste
[01:23.30] I don't understand
[01:25.17] To summarize the heretofor
[01:26.98] He does not understand the poor
[01:29.61] I don't understand the poor
[01:30.57] And they're constantly turning out more
[01:33.30] Ever festering slum
[01:34.25] In Christendom
[01:35.14] Is disgorging its young by the score
[01:37.85] I suppose there are some with ambition
[01:38.77] Say the pickpocket, beggar or whore
[01:41.47] From what I can tell
[01:42.34] They do quite well
[01:43.27] They're rising above
[01:45.17] And it's work they love
[01:46.08] But, I don't understand the poor
[01:47.83] They're rising above
[01:48.73] And it's work they love
[01:49.68] But, I don't understand the poor
[01:52.36] Where's the dignity? (ENSEMBLE: Where's the dignity?)
[01:53.22] Where's the pride? (Where's the pride?)
[01:55.07] The ignominity (The ig...?)
[01:57.72] Putting the lame and the halt aside
[01:59.66] Why accept charity?
[02:01.40] I am perplexed by their attitude
[02:03.27] I contend we extend them too much latitude
[02:07.73] My tenants have no excuse
[02:09.56] At Christmas I give them a goose
[02:12.26] Where's the integrity?
[02:13.11] Where's the gratitude?
[02:15.99] I don't understand the poor
[02:17.73] How I long for days of yore
[02:19.52] When nary a vassal
[02:20.47] Stepped into your castle
[02:22.22] They knew not to darken your door
[02:24.03] Now they barge in every Tuesday
[02:25.84] With a sickening, thickening roar
[02:27.63] Why clatter and trample?
[02:29.49] Set an example
[02:30.39] We teach them to read
[02:31.29] But do they succeed?
[02:32.16] When they're hungry and frail
[02:33.16] We feed them in jail
[02:34.93] We send them off to war
[02:37.64] I don't understand
[02:38.54] I'm not being grand
[02:40.32] I don't understand the poor
[02:42.18] I don't understand
[02:43.08] I'm not being grand
[02:43.90] I don't understand...
[02:48.54] Oh, there's one I admit I adore
[02:54.80] He's missing a leg
[02:56.67] But a very good egg
[02:58.56] A gentleman through to the core
[03:02.17] Well, he may be a bit of a drinker
[03:03.97] He can often be found on the floor
[03:07.53] Through all of his pains
[03:09.30] He never complains
[03:12.03] He's bright and astute
[03:13.80] A shame that he's mute
[03:16.62] According to mother
[03:18.43] He may be my brother
[03:21.14] A fact we all choose to ignore
[03:22.94] But, I don't understand
[03:23.81] I'm sensitive and
[03:25.66] I don't understand the poor
[03:27.58] I don't understand
[03:28.46] I'm sensitive and
[03:29.39] I don't understand
[03:31.17] They're a pox on the land!
[03:32.05] I don't understand
[03:32.98] I don't understand
[03:33.84] I don't understand the poor
[03:39.22] Don't understand
[03:41.12] Really I don't!
[03:42.08]