People Will Say We’re in Love

Lyrics By Oscar Hammerstein II  Music By Richard Rodgers

In this classic example of a Rodgers & Hammerstein “conditional love song,” Laurey and Curly continue their restrained, coded flirtation with a list of “don’ts” to keep people from thinking they should be together. When the song is reprised in the second act, once the two have finally admitted their love for one another, Hammerstein cleverly adjusts the lyric to “Let people say we’re in love.”

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"People Will Say We’re in Love" Lyrics

Laurey:
Why do they think up stories that link my name with yours?

Curly:
Why do the neighbors gossip all day behind their doors?

Laurey:
I know a way to prove what they say is quite untrue.
Here is the gist, a practical list of “don’ts” for you:

Don’t throw bouquets at me,
Don’t please my folks too much,
Don’t laugh at my jokes too much—
People will say we’re in love!

Don’t sigh and gaze at me
(Your sighs are so like mine),
Your eyes mustn’t glow like mine—
People will say we’re in love!

Don’t start collecting things—
Give me my rose and my glove.
Sweetheart, they’re suspecting things—
People will say we’re in love!

Curly:
Some people claim that you are to blame as much as I.
Why do you take the trouble to bake my fav’rite pie?
Grantin’ your wish, I carved our initials on that tree.
Jist keep a slice of all the advice you give so free!

Don’t praise my charm too much,
Don’t look so vain with me,
Don’t stand in the rain with me—
People will say we’re in love!

Don’t take my arm too much,
Don’t keep your hand in mine.
Your hand feels so grand in mine,
People will say we’re in love!

Don’t dance all night with me,
Till the stars fade from above.
They’ll see it’s alright with me,
People will say we’re in love!

Reprise:

Curly:
Let people say we’re in love.
Who keers whut happens now!

Laurey:
Jist keep your hand in mine.
Your hand feels so grand in mine.

Both:
Let people say we’re in love!

Starlight looks well on us,
Let the stars beam from above.
Who cares if they tell on us?
Let people say we’re in love!