Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat - From The Motion Picture Soundtrack "Cats"

Skimbleshanks, the Railway Cat

The Cat of the Railway Train

There's a whisper down the line

At eleven thirty-nine

When the night mail's ready to depart

Saying, "Skimble, where is Skimble?

Has he gone to hunt the thimble?

We must find him or the train can't start"

All the guards and all the porters

And the stationmaster's daughters

Would be searching high and low

Saying "Skimble, where is Skimble?

For unless he's very nimble

Then the night mail just can't go."

At eleven forty-two

With the signal overdue

And the passengers all frantic to a man

That's when I would appear

And I'd saunter to the rear

I'd been busy in the luggage van

Then he gives one flash

Of his glass-green eyes

And the signal goes "All Clear"

And we're off at last

For the northern part

Of the Northern Hemisphere

♪

Skimbleshanks, the Railway Cat

Skimbleshanks, the Railway Cat

Skimbleshanks

Skimbleshanks

Skimbleshanks, the Railway Cat

The Cat of the Railway Train

You could say that by and large

It was me who was in charge

Of the sleeping car express

From the driver and the guards

To the bagmen playing cards

I would supervise them all, more or less

I will watch you without winking

And I'll see what you are thinking

And it's certain that I wouldn't approve

Of hilarity and riot

So the folk are very quiet

When Skimble is about and on the move

You can play no pranks with Skimbleshanks

I'm a cat that cannot be ignored

So nothing goes wrong

On the Northern Mail

When Skimbleshanks is aboard

Oh, it's very pleasant

When you've found your little den

With your name written up on the door (Woo! Woo!)

And the berth is very neat

With a newly folded sheet

And there's not a speck of dust on the floor

Then the guard looks in politely

And will ask you very brightly

"Do you like your morning tea?

(Weak or strong)

But I was just behind him

And was ready to remind him

For Skimble won't let anything go wrong

When you creep into your cozy berths and pull up the counterpane

You ought to reflect that it's very nice

To know that you won't be bothered by mice

You can leave all that to the Railway Cat

The Cat of the Railway Train

Skimbleshanks, the Railway Cat (Skimbleshanks)

The Cat of the Railway Train

And he gives you a wave

Of his long brown tail

Which says, "I'll see you again!"

You will meet without fail

On the Midnight Mail

The Cat of the Railway Train