EXPERIMENT
From the London Stage Musical "Nymph Errant" (1933)
(Cole Porter)

Moya Nugent (London Stage Production) - 1933
Gertrude Lawrence (London Stage Production) - 1933
Ray Noble & His Orch. (vocal: Al Bowlly) - 1933
Al Bowlly with Lew Stone & His Orch. - 1933
Mabel Mercer - 1954
Tony Bennett - 1975
Irene Kral - 1977
Julie Wilson - 1989
Patricia Hodge (London Concert Production) - 1989
Mandy Patinkin - 1993
Marlene Van Planck - 2003
Kevin Kline ("De-Lovely" Film Soundtrack) - 2004

Also recorded by: Ted Heath & His Orch; Sylvia Syms;
Mark Murphy; Natalie Douglas; Piccadilly Dance Orch.


Before you leave these portals
To meet less fortunate mortals
There's just one final message
I would give to you
You all have learned reliance
On the sacred teachings of science
So I hope, through life you never will decline
In spite of philistine
Defiance
To do what all good scientists do

Experiment
Make it your motto day and night
Experiment
And it will lead you to the light
The apple on the top of the tree
Is never too high to achieve
So take an example from Eve
Experiment
Be curious
Though interfering friends may frown,
Get furious
Aat each attempt to hold you down
If this advice you'll only employ
The future can offer you infinite joy
And merriment
Experiment
And you'll see


(Transcribed by Bill Huntley - December 2004)


*****


Revised lyric written for the proposed, but
never made, film "Mississippi Belle" (1943)


As I was leaving high school
My pet professor of my school
Said: My Dear, one parting message
I would give to you
By now you've learned reliance
On the sacred teachings of science
So I hope, through life, you never will decline
In spite of philistine
Defiance
To do what all good scientists do

Experiment
Make it your motto day and night
Experiment
And it will lead you to the light
The apple on the top of the tree
Is never too high to achieve
So take an example from Eve
Experiment
Be curious
Though interfering friends may frown,
Get furious
Aat each attempt to hold you down
If this advice you'll only employ
The future can offer you infinite joy
And merriment
Experiment
And you'll see

And now, each one of you, do
Let me adapt this ditty to you

Experiment
Whenever doubtful take a chance
Experiment
And you'll discover sweet romance
When in a state of ignorant bliss
Regarding a creature you crave
'Tis folly, my friend, to behave
Experiment
Be Curious
And when you've picked a perfect wife
Get furious
Till she is yours and yours for life
If this you do (and no cock-and-bull)
The future may give you a nursery full
Of merriment
Experiment
And you'll see