Old Deuteronomy (song)

Old Deuteronomy is the leader of the tribe, the beloved grandfather of most of the cats. He is greeted with respect and great affection, even Rum Tum Tugger loses his "Devil may care" attitude to sing with fondness.

Lyrics
Old Deuteronomy's lived a long time

He's a cat who has lived many lives in succession

He was famous in proverb and famous in rhyme

A long while before Queen Victoria's accession

Old Deuteronomy's buried nine wives

And more I am tempted to say ninety-nine

And his numerous progeny prospers and thrives

And the village is proud of him in his decline

At the sight of that placid and bland physiognomy

When he sits in the sun on the vicarage wall

The oldest inhabitant croaks

Well, of all things, can it be really?

Yes, no, ho-hi-oh, my eye

My mind may be wandering, but I confess

I believe it is old Deuteronomy

Old Deuteronomy sits in the street

He sits in the high street on market day

The Bullocks may bellow, the sheep they may bleat

But the dogs and the herdsmen will turn them away

The cars and the lorries run over the curb

And the villagers put up a notice "Road closed"

So that nothing untoward may chance to disturb

Deuteronomy's rest when he feels so disposed

The digestive repose of that felines gastronomy

Must never be broken whatever may befall

The oldest inhabitant croaks

Well, of all things, can it be really?

Yes, no, ho-hi-oh, my eye

My mind may be wandering, but I confess

I believe it is old Deuteronomy

Well, of all things, can it be really?

Yes, no, ho hi oh, my eye

My legs may be tottery, I must go slow

And be careful of old Deuteronomy

Staging
Initially Mistoffelees senses Old Deuteronomy's presence and leaves to escort him. Munkustrap begins singing about Old Deuteronomy, but is interrupted by Rum Tum Tugger. As Old Deuteronomy appears, the whole tribe sings to welcome him.