Pick-A-Little, Talk-A-Little

Written by Meredith Wilson

Performed by Robert Preston and the ladies

Alma:
Pick a little, talk a little, pick a little, talk a little,
Cheep cheep cheep, talk a lot, pick a little more

Alma and Ethel:
Pick a little, talk a little, pick a little,
Talk a little, cheep cheep cheep, talk a lot, pick a little more

All the ladies:
Pick a little, talk a little, pick a little,
Talk a little, cheep cheep cheep, talk a lot, pick a little more

Maud:
Professor, her kind of woman doesn't belong on any committee.
Of course, I shouldn't tell you this but she advocates dirty books.

Harold:
Dirty books!

Alma:
Chaucer

Ethel:
Rabelais

Eulalie:
Balzac!

Maud:
And the worst thing
Of course, I shouldn't tell you this but-

Alma:
I'll tell.

Ethel:
The man lived on my street, let me tell.

Eulalie:
Stop! I'll tell.
She made brazen overtures to a man who never
Had a friend in this town till she came here.

Alma:
Oh, yes
That woman made brazen overtures
With a gilt-edged guarantee
She had a golden glint in her eye
And a silver voice with a counterfeit ring

Just melt her down and you'll reveal
A lump of lead as cold as steel
Here, where a woman's heart should be!

Eulalie, Ethel, Maud, Alma, Mrs Squires:
He left River City the Library building
But he left all the books to her

Alma:
Chaucer

Ethel:
Rabelais

Eulalie:
Bal-zac!

Ladies:
Pick a little, talk a little, pick a little, talk a little,
Cheep cheep cheep, talk a lot, pick a little more
Pick a little, talk a little, pick a little, talk a little,
Cheep cheep cheep, talk a lot, pick a little more
Pick a little, talk a little, pick a little, talk a little,
Cheep cheep cheep cheep cheep cheep cheep cheep
Cheep cheep cheep cheep cheep cheep cheep cheep
Cheep cheep cheep cheep cheep cheep cheep cheep
Pick a little, talk a little, cheep!