Glitter and Be Gay

And here I am, my heart breaking Forced to glitter, forced to be gay Glitter and be gay That's the part I play Here I am in Paris, France Forced to bend my soul To a sordid role Victimised by bitter Bitter circumstance Alas, for me, had I remained Beside my lady mother My virtue had remained unstained Until my maiden hand was gained By some 'Grand Duke' or other... Ah, 'twas not to be Harsh necessity Brought me to this gilded cage Born to higher things Here I drop my wings Ah! Singing of a sorrow Nothing can assuage And yet, of course, I rather like to revel, ah ha! I have no strong objection to champagne, ah ha! My wardrobe is expensive as the devil, ah ha! Perhaps it is ignoble to complain! Enough, enough Of being basely tearful I'll show my noble stuff By being bright and cheerful Ha ha ha ha, ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Pearls, and ruby rings Ah, how can wordly things take the place of honour lost? Can they compensate for my fallen state? Purchased as they were at such a, at such an awful cost. Bracelets, lavaliers: can they dry my tears? Can they blind my eyes to shame? Can the brightest brooch shield me from reproach? Can the purest diamond purify my name? And yet, of course, these trinkets are endearing, ah ha! I'm oh so glad my sapphire is a star, ah ha! I rather like a twenty carat earring, ah ha! If I'm not pure at least my jewels are! Enough, enough I'll take their diamond necklace And show my noble stuff By being gay and reckless Ha ha ha ha, ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Observe how bravely I conceal the dreadful, dreadful shame I feel