Ragtime - Nothing Like the City Lyrics

Broadway production 1998
Ragtime the Musical - Nothing Like the City Lyrics

"Nothing Like the City" is a song from musical Ragtime performed by Marin Mazzie (Mother), Alex Strange (Edgar), Peter Friedman (Tateh), and Lea Michele (Little Girl).

[TATEH]
Mister, please, where is this?

[CONDUCTOR]
You're in New Rochelle. You can atke the rope off her.
This ain't the city.

[LITTLE BOY]
Mother!

[MOTHER]
I see! I see! He's afraid of losing her. Immigrants
are terrified of losing their children. So are we but
just not so conspicuously. Don't stare. It's not
polite to stare.

[TATEH]
He's a rude little boy. Ignore him. poeople of good
breeding do not stare at other people. they acknowledge
htem politley with a bow... like this.

Good day.

[MOTHER]
Good day, sir.

[TATEH]
She called me "sir."
Without a doubt,
We're really out
Of New York City!

[MOTHER]
Fine weather, isn't it?

[TATEH]
Isn't it?
Now that we're out of the city,
Isn't it?

[BOTH]
Nothing like the city...

[LITTLE GIRL]
He's still staring.

[TATEH]
Never mind.

[LITTLE BOY]
My father's at the North Pole,
With Admiral Peary and eskimos!
Where is your mother?

[LITTLE GIRL]
Dead.

[MOTHER]
Edgar!

[LITTLE BOY]
My name is Edgar. We're off
To visit out foreworks factory.
What is your name?

[LITTLE GIRL]
No name.

[LITTLE BOY]
That's impossible.
Everyone had a name,
Even the little Negro baby
Who lives in our attic!!!

[MOTHER]
Sshh. Do not be rude!
He talks.

[LITTLE BOY]
I never knew anyone
Who stayed on a rope
Like a puppy dog.
What does it feel like?

[TATEH]
I see that.

[LITTLE GIRL]
Safe.

[MOTHER]
He also stares.

[LITTLE BOY]
Safe?

[MOTHER]
You'd think
He'd never
Seen someone
From New York City

[LITTLE GIRL]
Yes.

[LITTLE BOY]
Everyone's safe
In New Rochelle.

[TATEH]
That's children,
Isn't it?

[LITTLE GIRL]
Safe?

[MOTHER]
Isn't it?

[LITTLE BOY]
Yes.

[BOTH]
Always another surprise,
Isn't it?

[CONDUCTOR]
Boston Post Road trolley! Boston!

[MOTHER]
Well.

[TATEH]
Well.
Have a pleasant day, ma'am.

[MOTHER]
Have a pleasant trip, sir...

[MOTHER & TATEH]
Nothing like the city...

[CONDUCTOR]
Mamaroneck! All aboard for Mamaroneck!

[LITTLE BOY]
We know those peopl.

[MOTHER]
That's ridiculous. They're poor foreigners.

[LITTLE BOY]
Then we're going to know them.

[MOTHER]
Who put such thoughts in your head?

Ragtime the Musical Nothing Like the City Lyrics