"The Song of the Jellicles" is a song celebrating the attributes, mannerisms and customs of the Jellicle Cats. It is often conflated with "The Jellicle Ball", but it is the first, sung section of the overall dance sequence.
Context[]
Following the Macavity scare, only Old Deuteronomy and Munkustrap remain onstage. They survey their surroundings for any sight of Macavity, but he is nowhere to be found. Slowly, Victoria and Jemima/Sillabub emerge from their hiding places at the opposite ends of the stage - both still scared and on guard for Macavity.
Old Deuteronomy is now convinced that it was a false alarm. Together with Victoria, Jemima/Sillabub and Munkustrap, he calls for the Jellicles to come out of hiding so that the Ball can begin. One by one, the cats make their way back to the stage, all the while describing and celebrating what makes a Jellicle cat.
Lyrics[]
Jellicle Cats come out tonight
Jellicle Cats come one come all
The Jellicle Moon is shining bright
Jellicles come to the Jellicle Ball
Jellicle Cats are black and white
Jellicle Cats are rather small
Jellicle Cats are merry and bright
And pleasant to hear when we caterwaul
Jellicle Cats have cheerful faces
Jellicle Cats have bright black eyes
We like to practice our airs and graces
And wait for the Jellicle Moon to rise
Jellicle Cats develop slowly
Jellicle Cats are not too big
Jellicle Cats are roly-poly
We know how to dance a gavotte and a jig
Until the Jellicle Moon appears
We make our toilette and take our repose
Jellicles wash behind their ears
Jellicles dry between their toes
Jellicle Cats are white and black
Jellicle Cats are of moderate size
Jellicles jump like a jumping jack
Jellicle Cats have moonlit eyes
We're quiet enough in the morning hours
We're quiet enough in the afternoon
Reserving our terpsichorean powers
To dance by the light of the Jellicle Moon
Jellicle Cats are black and white
Jellicle Cats, as we said, are small
If it happens to be a stormy night
We will practice a caper or two in the hall
If it happens the sun is shining bright
You would say we had nothing to do at all
We are resting and saving ourselves to be right
For the Jellicle Moon and the Jellicle Ball!
Jellicle Cats come out tonight!
Jellicle Cats come one come all!
The Jellicle Moon is shining bright,
Jellicles come to the Jellicle Ball!
Jellicle Cats come out tonight,
Jellicle Cats come one come all,
The Jellicle Moon is shining bright,
Jellicles come to the Jellicle Ball
International Versions[]
Audio[]
- "The Song of the Jellicles" and "The Jellicle Ball" from the 1981 London cast recording
- "The Song of the Jellicles" and "The Jellicle Ball" from the 1983 Broadway cast recording