Guys and Dolls, Act II Scene 5: No. 28, Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat

"Nicely (sings)

I dreamed last night

I got on the boat to Heaven

And by some chance I had brought my dice along.

And there I stood

And I hollered, ‘Someone fade me’,

But the passengers, they knew right from wrong.

For the people all said, ‘Sit down,

Sit down, you’re rockin’ the boat’.

Nicely and Ensemble (sing)

People all said, ‘Sit down,

Sit down, you’re rockin’ the boat’.

Nicely

And the Devil will drag you under

By the sharp lapel of your checkered coat.

‘Sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down,

Nicely and Ensemble

Sit down, you’re rockin’ the boat’.

Nicely

I sailed away on that

Little boat to Heaven

And by some chance found

A bottle in my fist.

And there I stood,

Nicely passin’ out the whiskey,

But the passengers were bound

To resist.

Ensemble

Ooo

Ooo

Ooo

Nicely

For the people all said, ‘Beware,

Ensemble

People all said, ‘Beware,

Nicely

You’re on a heavenly trip’.

Ensemble

Beware!’

Nicely

People all said, ‘Beware,

Ensemble

People all said, ‘Beware’.

Nicely

Beware, you’ll scuttle the ship’.

And the Devil will drag you under

By the fancy tie ’round your wicked throat.

Ensemble

(B1) Sit (hold)

(B2) Down (hold)

(T) Sit (hold)

(S / A) Down (hold)

Nicely

‘Sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down,

All

‘Sit down, sit down, sit down,

Sit down, you’re rockin’ the boat.’

Ensemble

‘Down.’

(They all sit down.)

Nicely

And as I laughed

At those passengers to Heaven

(laughs)

A great big wave came

And washed me overboard.

(gasp)

And as I sank

And I hollered, ‘Someone save me!’

(solemnly)

That’s the moment I woke up,

Ensemble

Mm

Oo

Oo

Oo

Nicely

Thank the Lord.

Ensemble (Mission Band rises.)

Thank the Lord.

Thank the Lord.

Nicely

And I said to myself, ‘Sit down,

Sit down, you’re rockin’ the boat’.

Ensemble (Mission Band sits.)

Said to himself, ‘Sit down, sit down’.

Nicely

Said to myself, ‘Sit down,

Sit down, you’re rockin’ the boat’.

Ensemble

Said to himself, ‘Sit down’.

Nicely

And the devil will drag you under

With a soul so heavy you’d never float.

Ensemble

And the Devil will drag you under.

Nicely

‘Sit down, –

All

– ‘Sit down, sit down, sit down,

Sit down, you’re rockin’ the boat.

(They all rise.)

Sit down, you’re rockin’,

Sit down, sit down,

Sit down, you’re rockin’ the boat!

– Sit down, you’re rockin’,

Sit down, sit down,

Sit down, you’re rockin’ the boat!

– Sit down, you’re rockin’,

Sit down, sit down,

Sit down, you’re rockin’ the boat!

Nicely

Sit down!’

Ensemble

Sit down, you’re rockin’ the boat!’"