“How Long?” LYRICS

Fauna:
Stand up to the girl like a man.

Girls:
Stand up to the girl like a man!

Fauna:
Just let her know you run the show
And she’ll go along with the plan.

Men:
Stand up to the girl like a guy,
Stand up to the girl like a guy.

Hazel:
And tell her to behave herself
Or you’ll put a mouse on her eye.

Fauna:
If she wants to make you wait,
Don’t get in no big debate.
Don’t beg and plead and pray to the girl,
But stand right up and say to the girl—

All:
And say to the girl,
And say to the girl—

Fauna:
How long
Do we gotta talk it over?
How long
Do we gotta horse around?
I tell you to yer face I want you and you drive me nuts,
But all I ever get from you is ifs and ands and buts!

How long
Do we gotta race the motor
Before
We can really get to go?
How long
Do you make a feller guess how sweet you are,
Before
You will really let him know?

Hazel:
The man you used to be
Would make a fricassee
Of any chick who tried to get tough!

Doc:
The man I used to be
Had an old recipe
For calling any feminine bluff—

You start in sweet and gentle
Then you wind up firm and rough!

Fauna and Girls:
That’s the stuff !

Men:
Stand up to the girl!

All:
Stand up to the girl!

Doc:
I’ll say to the girl—

All:
You’ll say to the girl—

Doc:
How long—

All:
Do we gotta talk it over?

Doc:
How long
Do we gotta horse around?
How long
Do you believe that you can keep me on the hook?
How long
Do you believe that you can play me for a schnook?

How long
Must I walk alone at evening
While stars
Squander silver on the sea?
How long
Till you open up your arms and let me know
How warm
And how lovely they can be?

Mac:
Toughen it up!

All:
Toughen it up!

Men:
How long?

Women:
How long?
How long—

Men:
Do we got to talk it over?

Women:
Either we do or either we don’t.
And when am I gonna know?

Men:
How long?

Women:
How long?
How long—

Men:
Do we gotta horse around?

Women:
Either you will or either you won’t.
So make with a yes or no!

All:
How long do you believe that you can keep me on the hook?

Men:
Ta da da da.

Girls:
How long do you believe that you can play me for a schnook?

Men:
How was that?

All:
How long
Do we gotta race the motor
Before
We can really get to go?
How long
Do you make a feller guess how sweet you are?
How long
Till you really let him know?

Toughen it up.
Toughen it up.
Toughen it up.
Toughen it up, Doc.
Toughen it up, Doc.
Toughen it up!

Stand up to the girl like a man!
Toughen it up!