[Lyric] Act I Scene 2: Did you ever have a dress like this? Beth Ma (Aaron Copland)

[BETH]
Did you ever have a dress like this?

[MA]
Like this… like this
This is like the dress I never had
The pretty, velvet bows…
Oh heaven knows how much I've missed
The years have gone so fast
And now my own sweet child will wear the dress
That yesterday I might have worn
It seems as if she just was born
Where all the years have gone I'll never know
My own sweet child, my own sweet child
Her face is like my mirror long ago
Thе light has dimmed, it is late afternoon
Goodnеss! It's getting late
Laurie will be getting home
Grandpa will be coming in
We have work to do
Have you forgotten the party?
[BETH]
I couldn't forget the party
Can Daniel come? Can he?

[MA]
Silly, silly. Of course he can come
If he combs his hair…

[BETH]
If he combs his hair…

[MA]
- if he washes his face

[BETH]
- if he washes his face

[MA]
- if he shines his shoes

[BETH]
- if he shines his shoes

[MA, BETH]
If he combs his hair
If he washes his face
If he shines his shoes
If he puts on a clean shirt, clean shirt, clean shirt
[MA]
Silly, silly. We've work to do
Go tell the Jenks about the party
Tell `em it's tonight. We're expecting them to come
We're going to celebrate
Hurry up, hurry up, it's getting late
Go tell the Jenks about the party
Then hurry right back… right back

(Beth starts off, but pauses to look back as Ma holds up the dress.)

Oh how pretty Laurie will look tonight

(She goes into the house.)

[BETH]
Come on Daniel! Let's go

(She skips once more around the yard excitedly, then she races off.)