Don't Let's Be Beastly to the Germans
Noël Coward
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Verse 1 We must be kind And with an open mind We must endeavour to find A way- To let the Germans know that when the war is over They are not the ones who'll have to pay. We must be sweet- And tactful and discreet And when they've suffered defeat We mustn't let Them feel upset Or ever get The feeling that we're cross with them or hate them, Our future policy must be to reinstate them. Refrain 1 Don't let's be beastly to the Germans When our victory is ultimately won, It was just those nasty Nazis who persuaded them to fight And their Beethoven and Bach are really far worse than their bite Let's be meek to them- And turn the other cheek to them And try to bring out their latent sense of fun. Let's give them full air parity- And treat the rats with charity, But don't let's be beastly to the Hun. Verse 2 We must be just- And win their love and trust And in additon we must Be wise And ask the conquered lands to join our hands to aid them. That would be a wonderful surprise. For many years- They've been in floods of tears Because the poor little dears Have been so wronged and only longed To cheat the world, Deplete the world And beat The world to blazes. This is the moment when we ought to sing their praises. Refrain 2 Don't let's be beastly to the Germans When we've definitely got them on the run- Let us treat them very kindly as we would a valued friend We might send them out some Bishops as a form of lease and lend, Let's be sweet to them- And day by day repeat to them That 'sterilization' simply isn't done. Let's help the dirty swine again- To occupy the Rhine again, But don't let's be beastly to the Hun. Refrain 3 Don't let's be beastly to the Germans When the age of peace and plenty has begun. We must send them steel and oil and coal and everything they need For their peaceable intentions can be always guaranteed. Let's employ with them a sort of 'strength through joy' with them, They're better than us at honest manly fun. Let's let them feel they're swell again and bomb us all to hell again, But don't let's be beastly to the Hun. Refrain 4 Don't let's be beastly to the Germans For you can't deprive a ganster of his gun Though they've been a little naughty to the Czechs and Poles and Dutch But I don't suppose those countries really minded very much Let's be free with them and share the B.B.C. with them. We mustn't prevent them basking in the sun. Let's soften their defeat again-and build their bloody fleet again, But don't let's be beastly to the Hun.
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Written by: NOEL COWARD, NOEL PIERCE COWARD
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Song Origin"Don't Let's Be Beastly to the Germans" is a satirical song written by British artist Noël Coward. It was released in 1943 during the height of World War II.
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MotivationThe song was born out of Coward's concern for the post-war world. He wanted people to remember that not all Germans were to blame for the war and that punishing the entire nation would not bring about a peaceful future.
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Lyrics ContentThe lyrics are composed as eye-opening satire, recommending excessively generous treatments for the Germans while subtly highlighting the ludicrousness of such leniency.
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US ReceptionThe song was censored in the United States. "Don't Let's Be Beastly to the Germans" was deemed controversial due to its satirical nature and perceived unfavorable representation of war.
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Musical StyleLike most of Coward’s compositions, this song also features a compelling mix of wit and melody.
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Famous PerformancesThe song was performed at the end of Noël Coward's revue, "Sigh No More," where it was sung by actor Graham Payn.
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Song ImpactThis song has been interpreted over time as elucidating Coward’s personal views on forgiveness and the need to maintain a humane attitude, even in the face of war.
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RevisionsThe lyrics of the song were later revised due to criticism and controversy. The original version of the song included lines that sounded lenient toward Nazis, which sparked controversy and led Coward to change them.
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LegacyDespite its initial controversy, "Don't Let's Be Beastly to the Germans" is considered today one of Noël Coward's most topical and poignant songs, embodying his unique brand of social commentary.
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RediscoveryThe song enjoyed a renewed interest in the late 1960s and early 70s, largely due to a resurgence of interest in Coward's work during that period.
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Citation
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