I Want To Be a Prima Donna.
A 1911 popular song from “The Enchantress”.
Words by Harry B. Smith.
Music by Victor Herbert.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. Mamma is a queen and papa is a king
So I am a Princess, I know it
But court etiquette is a dull dreary thing
I just hate it all, and I show it
To sing on the stage, that’s the one life for me
My figure’s just like Tetrazzini
I know I’d win fame
If I sang in “Boheme”
That op’ra by Signor Puccini
I’ve roulades and the trills
That would send the cold chills
Down the backs of all hearers of my vocal frills
Refrain
I long to be a prima donna, donna, donna
I long to shine upon the stage
I have the embonpoint, to become a queen of song
And my figure would look pretty as a page
I want to be a screechy, peachy cantatrice
Like other plump girls that I see
I hate society, I hate propriety
Art is calling for me
Emsemble
I long to be a prima donna, donna, donna
I long to shine upon the stage
I hate society, I hate propriety
Art is calling for me
2. I’m in the elite, and men sigh at my feet
Still I do not fancy my position
I have not much use for the men that I meet
I quite burn with lyric ambition
Those tenors so sweet, if they made love to me
I’d be a success, that I do know
And Belba I’d oust, if I once sang in “Faust”
That op’ra so charming by Gounod
Girls would be be on the brink
Of hysterics, I think
Even strong men would have to go out for a drink
Refrain
I long to be a prima donna, donna, donna
I long to shine upon the stage
With my avoirdupois, and my tra la la la la
I would be the chief sensation of the age
I long to hear them shouting, “Viva” to the diva
Oh, very lovely that must be
That’s what I’m dying for, that’s what I’m sighing for
Art is calling for me
Emsemble
I long to be a prima donna, donna, donna
I long to shine upon the stage
That’s what I’m dying for, that’s what I’m sighing for
Art is calling for me
Sung here by Fred Feild: