[Lyric] Act I Scene 4: I need a couple of men Grandpa Top Martin Laurie Ma (Aaron Copland)

[GRANDPA]
I need a couple of men
But I don't know
I keep shy of strangers
They bring no good somehow

[MARTIN]
A stranger may seem strange that's true
But did it ever occur to you
That you seem strange to a stranger
Seem strange to a stranger
Seem strange to a stranger too?

[MARTIN, TOP]
We've come quite a ways
Through these wide lands
We've worked with our backs
And worked with our hands

[TOP]
They're not strangers to harvestin' grain
To diggin' up potatoes or plantin' in the rain
[MARTIN, TOP]
We hope that you can
See it our way
We're not strangers to work now what do you say:
Will you take on a stranger?
Take on a stranger?
Takе on a stranger today?

[GRANDPA]
When you put it like that
I'll havе to admit
You're right for the work and besides bein' fit
You're not such a stranger
Not such a stranger
Not such a stranger any more

[MARTIN, TOP]
We've two strong backs
And four strong hands
And that's what you need to work these lands

[GRANDPA]
I'm getting' old while you're both young
Your song's beginnin' while mine's `bout sung
Are you willin' to work for your pay?
[MARTIN, TOP]
Sure, we're willin' to work
For our pay

[GRANDPA]
Then I'll make a special `ception this day
And hire a stranger

[MARTIN, TOP]
Will you hire a stranger?
You mean you'll hire a stranger?
Will you hire a stranger
Hire a stranger today?

[GRANDPA]
Yes, I'll hire a stranger
Hire a stranger today!

[MARTIN, TOP]
Okay?

[GRANDPA]
Okay!

(Interlude - The boys make horseplay
Ma and Laurie come out on the porch.)
[GRANDPA]
If you boys work as smooth as you talk
We'll make good time in the fields
Ma, put on supper for two more

[LAURIE]
And can they come to my party tonight?

[GRANDPA]
The party! The party
I'd almost forgotten the party

[LAURIE]
Grandpa please

[GRANDPA]
Can't be no harm in fellers
To help with the dancin', eh Ma?

[MA]
I guess not. I guess not

[GRANDPA]
What's that, Mother?

[MA]
O nothing, nothing
Been around these parts long, boys?

[TOP]
Long enough to look over the land and work up an appetite

[MA]
Know the Grays? Or Jessie Kane?
She's a pretty girl they say

[GRANDPA]
They said they just come here, Mother

[TOP]
Knowed lots of Jessies in my time
And pretty ones too
But I don't place the name Jessie Kane

(Ma turns away, seeming to ignore the boys.)

[MA]
C'mon Laurie. I need your help.]

(Laurie goes with her into the house. Grandpa follows.)

[MARTIN]
Missus Moss doesn't like us
Why do you suppose she ast those questions?

[TOP]
Don't get excited
We ain't done nothin' wrong. Least not lately
That Laurie sure is pretty

[MARTIN]
Don't start gettin' too int'rested
We'll want to move soon as this job is done

[TOP]
Look who's tellin' me
You're the one that's still got to learn
A kiss ain't a ball and chain
Listen, tonight keep the old man busy
So's I can get acquainted with that girl
Hear me?

[MARTIN]
Careful, Top!
Her Grandpa has an eye in the back of his head
Where his girl's concerned

[TOP]
Leave that to me
You just drink him under the table
I've handled girls before and their pas

(to Grandpa, who reappears on the porch)
So there's gonna be a party tonight
Ain't we in luck?

[GRANDPA]
C'mon. I'll show you where
To put your bundles
You'll both sleep over here
(indicating the shed)

It promises to be a fine night

(Top and Grandpa enter the shed. Martin remains.)