Weill: Die Dreigroschenoper - Tango Ballad - Ute Lemper, Neil Hannon, The Divine Comedy

There was a time, now very far away

When we set up together, I and she

I got the brain, and she supplied the breast

I saw her right, and she looked after me

A way of life then, if not quite the best

And when a client came, I’d slide out of our bed

And treat him nice, and go and have a drink instead

And when he paid up, I’d address him, «Sir

Come any night you feel you fancy her»

That time’s long past, but what would I not give

To see that whorehouse where we used to live?

That was the time, now very far away

He was so sweet and bashed me where it hurt

And when the cash ran out, the feathers really flew

He’d up and say, «I'm going to pawn your skirt

A skirt is nicer, but no skirt will do.»

Just like his cheek, he had me fairly stewing

I’d ask him straight to say what he thought he was doing

Then he’d lash out and knock me headlong down the stairs

I had the bruises off and on for years

That time’s long past, but what would I not give

To see that whorehouse where we used to live?

That was the time, now very far away

Not that the bloody times seem to have looked up

When afternoons were all I had for you

I told you she was generally booked up

The night’s more normal, yeah, but daytime will do

And when a client came, he’d slide out of our bed

And treat him nice, and go and have a drink instead

And when he paid up I’d address him, «Sir

Come any night you feel you fancy her»

That time’s long past, but what would we not give

To see that whorehouse where we used to live?