Merano/What a Scene! What a Joy!

O light the heart
That lingers in Merano
Merano! The spa no
Connoisseur of spas would miss
So healthy
Highly recommended
Is this sweet metropolis
Mental and physical bliss!

The gods have smiled
And bless-ed is Merano
Merano! There are no
Fitter burghers to be found
Such vigour!
Take the time to taste us
We'll give you a welcome that's typically Tirol
For then we are sure of our ground
Right now we're Italian - we used to be German
The border keeps shifting around

MAYOR (solo)
Speaking as one of the patriarchs
I don't mind taking your lira or marks

CITIZENS
Oh I get high when I saunter by the mountains of Merano
Rosy-cheeked Merano
Flourishing to a fault
The sparkling streams, the bracing air
The therapeutic salt
I'd have to be carried away to call a halt!

Oh I feel great in this bouncing state
O hail to thee Merano
Hearty hale Merano
Any objections? Nein!
Where breathing in will turn you on
Where water tastes like wine
Get out your get up and go and get in line
It's living your life in a show by Rodgers and Hammerstein!

O sad the soul
Who passes by Merano
Merano! So far no
Soul has ever passed us by
They love us
Why not stay forever?
Oh so many reason why
All those in favour say "Aye"
Aye!

So sing our song
Let's hear it for Merano
Merano! Soprano
Alto, tenor, bass agree
We're wholesome
What a happy haven
This is a place where your arteries soften
Cholesterol hasn't a chance
From mountain to valley the natural goodness
Is fighting pollution's advance

MAYOR (solo)
So come to us and feel the force
All major credit cards taken of course

CITIZENS
Oh I get high when I saunter by the mountains of Merano
Rosy-cheeked Merano
Flourishing to a fault
The sparkling streams, the bracing air
The therapeutic salt
I'd have to be carried away to call a halt!

Once in a while all the gods will smile on little old Merano
Humble shy Merano
Suddenly hits the press
And I report with all the pride
And joy that I possess
Half of the world and his wife
Has our address
Our little town will be rife
With games of chess!

Get out your get up and go and get in line
It's living your life in a show by Rogers and Hammerstein!

FREDDIE:
What a scene, what a joy,
what a lovely site
Where my game is the big sensation
As the mob's sporting taste altered overnight?
Have they found new sophistication?

FLORENCE:
Not yet! They just wanna see
If the nice guy beats the bum
If it's East-West and the money's sky high
They all come

FREDDIE:
You can raise all you want
If you raise the roof
Scream and shout and the gate increases
Break the rules, break the bank
I'm the living proof
They don't care how I move my pieces

I know I'm the best there is
But all they want is a show
Well that's alright, I'll be glad to oblige

FREDDIE AND FLORENCE:
SRO
SRO

CITIZENS:
Oh I get high when I saunter by the mountains of Merano
Rosy-cheeked Merano
Flourishing to a fault
The sparkling streams, the bracing air
The therapeutic salt
I'd have to be carried away to call a halt

Oh I feel great in this bouncing state o hail to the Merano
Hearty hale Merano
Any objections? Nein!
Where breathing in will turn you on
Where water tastes like wine
Get out your get up and go and get in line
It's living your life in a show by Rodgers and Hammerstein!

Now for the sell
We put the ice into paradise, we are the salt of the earth
Sound as a bell
Check out the waters
And check out the hygiene
At which we excel
Check into an hotel
And schnell
Body and soul
Get well!