Act 1 Scene 1: Two little bits of metal Ma Moss Beth by Aaron Copland Lyrics
[MA MOSS]
Two little bits of metal
My needle and my thimble
A woman has to sew her fam'ly's clothes
Against the cold, cold weather
Two larger bits of metal
My wood-stove and my kettle
A woman has to stew her fam'ly's food
Against the cold, cold weather
[BETH]
I'll race you to the porch
(She rushes up the steps.)
Look, Danny…
Did you ever see such green grass?
Such cool water?
(Looking out towards the horizon she suddenly sees something that breaks her make-believe mood.)
Mama, the postman! There's dust way off on thе road
It's Mr. Splinters' old car, I'm sure I can see it
Will he bring Lauriе's dress? Will he?
[MA MOSS]
Easy now, Beth. Easy
Maybe it's only the wind blowin' the dust
[BETH]
Oh no, it is his car. Danny, look at the steam
It's boilin' like an old tea kettle
Mother, look and see!
[MA MOSS]
Yes, it is Mister Splinters!
Go see if he's bringing us something
(Beth rushes off to meet the postman.)
For as long as two girls are growing
Are feeling and are knowing
One cannot always bear a daughter's cares
For when the child grows older
And when the wind blows colder
A woman sometimes knows that doors won't close
Against the cold, cold weather
Two little bits of metal
My needle and my thimble
A woman has to sew her fam'ly's clothes
Against the cold, cold weather
Two larger bits of metal
My wood-stove and my kettle
A woman has to stew her fam'ly's food
Against the cold, cold weather
[BETH]
I'll race you to the porch
(She rushes up the steps.)
Look, Danny…
Did you ever see such green grass?
Such cool water?
(Looking out towards the horizon she suddenly sees something that breaks her make-believe mood.)
Mama, the postman! There's dust way off on thе road
It's Mr. Splinters' old car, I'm sure I can see it
Will he bring Lauriе's dress? Will he?
[MA MOSS]
Easy now, Beth. Easy
Maybe it's only the wind blowin' the dust
[BETH]
Oh no, it is his car. Danny, look at the steam
It's boilin' like an old tea kettle
Mother, look and see!
[MA MOSS]
Yes, it is Mister Splinters!
Go see if he's bringing us something
(Beth rushes off to meet the postman.)
For as long as two girls are growing
Are feeling and are knowing
One cannot always bear a daughter's cares
For when the child grows older
And when the wind blows colder
A woman sometimes knows that doors won't close
Against the cold, cold weather