Rags: The New American Musical: The Sound Of Love

How does the music get onto the gramophone, Ben?
You just sing into this horn
Sing? What should I sing?
Sing anything

I am singing here
In this gramophone
Like an idiot
Is how I feel

There! Now, you can play it back on this machine!
That's all there is to it?
Yeah, that's all!
Don't dawdle, Morris, Grandma Tilia's waiting

I am singing here
In this gramophone
Like an idiot
Is how I feel

Mama, that little boy! He was singing into that machine!
He's making a record
For my mother
For your mother?
Yes, uh, she's... she's
Very sick
She feels terrible
Terrible!
Lying all alone
So alone!
Crying 'cause her boy is gone!
I have to work
But on her gramophone!
Yes, she owns a gramophone!
She hears his voice!
She loves my voice!
And in his voice she finds, the what?
The will, the courage
Yes, the courage to go -
On and on and on and -

That sounds wonderful!
Doesn't it?
Truly wonderful!
Wasn't it?
How much did you say that it was?
Twenty five dollars!
So much?
Yes, but think, Missus
Of your Morris, Soon, he'll be gone and grown
Gone off to work, or worse!
But now, with his own -
Oy!
Think how the years are flying
Flying!
Pass like the birds above!
Faster than the birds they fly!
Don't just stand there sighing!
Now, you'll have joy undying!
Think, Missus, what you're buying!
Think, Missus, of
That one special sound!
Here is that sound!
Hark to the sound-
Of love!

I am singing here
In this gramophone
Mama, I dedicate
This song to you
To me? I'll take it!

Come see my magic music machine
Step right on over to your old buddy Ben
I'm here to show-how
American know-how
Means that you're never lonely again
Gather round, you'll see what I mean
There's room for everyone, you don't have to shove
And-a proceed, folks
All that we need, folks
One volunteer, ooh
Here's one right here, to bring you the sound of love

Here's my magic music machine
It ain't no blarney when I tell you it's great

'Tis an old country tune
That I croon
'Neath the moon
For my mama!
Anymore there?
For her mama!
O Cara Mama
How I love you, Mama
You hear me singing
I love you Mama!

Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama
Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama what a machine

What a machine!

The newest wonder of a wonderful age!

Hey, Mr. Edison!
Thanks for the medicine!

Grazi, signora
Faith and Begorrah
Stop with the Hora
Send your friends for a sample of
The sound of love!