I CAN'T SAY NO

from "Oklahoma" 1943 New York theatre and 1955 film
(Richard Rodgers (m) Oscar Hammerstein II (l) 1943)

as recorded by Eydie Gorme
1958


It ain't so much a question of not knowing what to do,
I know what's right and right since I been ten!
I hear a lot of stories, and I reckon they are true,
About how girls are put upon by men!
I know I mustn't fall into the pit,
But when I'm with a feller I fergit!

I'm just a gal who cain't say no,
I'm in a terrible fix!
I always say "come on, let's go!",
Just when I oughta say "nix!".

When a feller tries to kiss a gal,
I know she oughta give his face a smack!
But as soon as someone kisses me,
I somehow sorta wanna kiss him back!

I'm just a fool when lights are low,
I cain't be prissy and quaint,
I ain't the type that can faint,
How can I be what I ain't?
I cain't say no!

What you gonna do
When a feller gets flirty,
And starts to talk purty,
What you gonna do?
Supposin' that he says that yer lips are like cherries,
Or roses or berries,
What you gonna do?
Supposin' that he says that you're sweeter than cream,
And he's gotta have cream or die,
What you gonna do when he talks that way,
Spit in his eye?

I'm just a gal who cain't say no,
Cain't seem to say it at all!
I hate to disappoint a beau
When he is payin' a call!
For a while I act refined and cool,
A-settin' on a velveteen settee,
Then I think of that old golden rule,
And do for him what he would do for me!

I cain't resist a Romeo
In a sombrero and chaps;
Soon as I sit on their laps,
Somethin' inside of me snaps,
I cain't say no!




(Transcribed by Peter Akers - December 2018)