[Tanaka:]
When Japanese father
Thinks he'd rather
Like his daughter wed,
[1st Geisha:]
And Japanese mother
Has no other
Notion in her head,
[Guest:]
They search about for good young men
Of suitable age,
With lots of yen,
[Makei:]
And when a nice one they have found,
They ask him just to toddle round,
[2nd Geisha:]
They introduce their daughter fair.
[3rd Geisha:]
And hold a Miai then and there.
[Girls:]
One little glance from maid to man,
One little peep from round a fan,
[Men:]
One little glance from man to maid,
That's how the game is played.
[All:]
Oh, who wouldn't try the glad Miai
When they get the chance,
For one little wife you win for life
With one little tender glance!
[Tanaka:]
Now Japanese fellow (Truth to tell, O!)
Shyness may display;
[1st Geisha:]
But Japanese daughter
Has been taught her
Parents to obey.
[Guest:]
They just sit down upon a seat
And suddenly both their glances meet;
[2nd Geisha:]
Then she thinks, "What a handsome lad!"
[Makei:]
And he thinks, "Well, she's not so bad!"
[3rd Geisha:]
And so they smile and nod assent,
[All:]
While ev'ryone is quite content.
[Girls:]
One little glance from maid to man,
One little peep from round a fan,
[Men:]
One little glance from man to maid,
That's how the game is played.
[All:]
Oh, who wouldn't try the glad Miai
When they get the chance,
For one little wife you win for life
With one little tender glance!