Luigi Trasudante Sings 'A Little Bit' From 'The Barber Of Paducah'

 Another scene from the opera 'The Barber Of Paducah' by Travis V. McGonigle, the nonagenarian composer, who is working on restoring the opera after it has sat unperformed for over 70 years. The tenor Luigi Trasudante has been and continues to be the driving force behind the restoration. He's given his time, talent and money in getting musicians and a conductor for the recording sessions. 

The composer has changed some of the details and plot to help make the opera flow better. This aria is called 'A Little Bit', as Luigi relates what service the offer pays out the best for them. Setting the scene: Luigi and Sammy have had a confrontation, Luigi is worried Sammy is going to rouse up the town against him and that his philandering with all the women, especially the married ones, will all come home to roost. He urges Antonio, his brother, to get busy and pack up their essential tools in case they need to make a fast get away.

Hey Antonio! Wake you ass up! 

We don’t have time to sleep all day, 

We gotta be ready get things buttoned up, 

In case we gotta make a rapid getaway! 

Eh? I tell you why! 

 

We been here six a months, long time for us. 

These Paducah hilly billys are getting on to us! 

Since that goddam Sammy make a big a stink! 

Men will listen to him,have to be ready, I think, 

So I quit seeing any married ladies........I promise! 

Maybe things will calm a down 

Before all hell rains down on us, 

From the men a folk in town.

 But just in case, be ready to leave, 

Maybe we have to do it fast, 

I know that you will a grieve, 

Because you like it here, but… 

 

Pack up the tools, 

The clippers, combs and razors. 

We take what we can, 

leave the rest for the neighbors.

 All the chairs and heavy stuff, 

Can stay here, we’ve made much 

money from these country bumpkins, enough, 

We can afford to leave a much. 

 

Don’t make much on shaves, only a little a beet. 

If that’s all we earn, be better to close the doors! 

Only a little bit more on the haircuts, a little bit,

 But lots more on the whores! 

 

We might not have a much time to pack, 

The small things, we can stow away. 

Get ready for a rapid flight, 

We live to fight another day! 

 

We make money on machines called slots, 

Even after we pay ev'ryone off. 

We make more money on women called sluts 

Even after we pay ev'ryone off 

 

So we go to the next town, far enough away 

That no one heard of us at all, 

But not too far that from business we stray 

That our profits start to fall 

 

Everyone wanna make a money, 

Got a bills to pay, 

But on the road too much, 

Is not the right way! 

 

 Don’t make much on baths, only a little a bit.

 If that’s all we earn, be better to close the doors! 

Only a little bit more on the massage, a little bit, 

But lots a more on the whores! 

 

Here come some customers. You go into the storeroom in the back. 

They no see you there, You can start to pack! 

 

And I’ll take care of these idiotas….. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAA! Welcome, gentleman! What can I do to you?