I'd Like to Propose a Toast

Here's to the ladies who lunch.
Everybody laugh.
Lounging in their caftans and planning a brunch
on their own behalf.
Off to the gym, then to a fitting
claiming they're fat;
and looking grim 'cause they've been sitting
choosing a hat.
(Does anyone still wear a hat?)
I'll drink to that.

Here’s to girls who stay smart;
aren’t they a gas?
Rushing to their classes in optical art
wishing it would pass;
Another long exhausting day;
another thousand dollars;
a matinee; a Pinter play;
perhaps a piece of Mahler’s.
I’ll drink to that.

(…and one for Mahler!)

Here's to the girls who play wife.
Aren't they too much?
Keeping house but clutching a copy of "Life"
just to keep in touch.
The ones who follow the rules;
and meet themselves at the schools;
too busy to know that they're fools.
Aren't they a gem!?
I'll drink to them!
Let's all drink to them!

And here’s to the girls who just watch.
Aren't they the best?
When they get depressed, it's a bottle of scotch
plus a little jest.
Another chance to disapprove;
another brilliant zinger;
another reason not to move;
another vodka stinger;
I'll drink to that!

So here's to the girls on the go.
Everybody tries.
Look into their eyes
and you'll see what they know;
Everybody dies.
A toast to that invincible bunch;
the dinosaurs surviving the crunch;
Let's hear it for the ladies who lunch!

Everybody rise. Rise.
Rise. Rise!
Rise! Rise!
RISE!

The Ladies Who Lunch
from Company (1970) by Stephen Sondheim

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