Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman, George Stiles
Cherry Tree Lane (Part 1)
[MRS. BRILL, spoken]
Katie-Nanna! Who gets stuck with the children with no nanny in the 'ouse?
Me! That's who!

[KATIE NANNA, spoken]
I've said my say Mrs. Brill, and that's all I'll say
I'm done with this house forever!

[MRS. BRILL, spoken]
Well good riddance then

[MRS. BANKS, sung]
Katie Nanna!
Gone are you quite sure?

[KATIE NANNA]
Gone and is it any wonder?

[MRS. BANKS]
Choosing the right nanny - I keep drawing blanks
Do you really think I made another blunder?
What on earth am I to say to Mr. Banks?

George, dear, I'm feeling so bereft, dear
Another nanny's left, dear
Every nanny goes - we're unlucky I suppose
[ALL]
We are never going to find the perfect nanny!

[MR. BANKS]
Nonsense!
Precision and order
That's all that I ask!
The running of a household a straightforward task

The children, the servants, they're all your domain
Whilst I remain the sovereign of Cherry Tree Lane

(spoken)
Coat!
The simple truth is you've engaged six nannies over the last four months and they've all been unqualified disasters

(sung)
A nanny should govern, a nanny should rule!
A nanny is a paragon who suffers no fool
A nanny's a stalwart, our children would gain
By having such a nanny in Cherry Tree Lane

[MRS. BANKS, spoken]
Of course George but -

[MR. BANKS, sung]
So take control of situations -
Show your authority when interviewing staff
You know your role - they in their stations
Efficiency and forethought cut the jobs in half!
Briefcase!

[MRS. BANKS, spoken]
I thought Katie Nana would be firm with the children
She always looked so cross

[MR. BANKS]
Winnifred never confused efficiency with a liver complaint!

[MRS. BANKS, sung]
Clear thinking, sound judgement

[MR. BANKS]
That's how to advance!

[BOTH]
Then things were run like clockwork

[MR. BANKS]
Leave nothing to chance!
When nannies go missing
The answer is plain!
Our children must be monsters

[MRS. BANKS]
Oh how can they be monsters?
[BOTH]
In Cherry Tree Lane

[MR. BANKS, spoken]
Umbrella!

[MRS. BANKS]
Oh if only we could find someone like your old nanny!

[MR. BANKS]
I'm afraid that's not realistic dear, few women alive could manage Mrs. Andrew's standard of efficiency. Besides, we could never afford someone of her caliber

[BRILL AND AY, sung]
Precision and order
He wants nothing less!

[ROBERTSON AY]
It's like an army barracks

[MRS. BRILL]
Yes, we're in the mess

[BOTH]
No wonder the nannies are driven insane!
We're living in a madhouse
On Cherry Tree Lane

[MR. BANKS, spoken]
Now, place an advertisement in the Times stating that Jane and Michael Banks require the best possible nanny at the lowest possible wage

[JANE BANKS]
Father, we've written our own advertisement

[MR. BANKS]
What!?

[MRS. BANKS]
Oh please George, I think we should hear it

[JANE]
Wanted, a nanny for two adorable children -

[MR. BANKS]
Adorable? Well that's debatable I must say