John Kander
Never Too Late
[RUBY, spoken]
I wanna make a statement about those negroes jazzin’ me! It is not true! It is the opposite of true. It is a lie!

[BOYS]
Woah Nellie, hold the phone

[RUBY, spoken]
I wish those negroes are not burned on account of me!

[BOYS]
Little Ruby wants it known

[RUBY, spoken]
So help me, God, this is the one time I’m going to tell the truth!

[BOYS]
That it’s never too late
Never too late
Never too late to atone

[RUBY, spoken]
Help me up on thе witness stand boys! Make me look good! I’m kickin’! But not too high. Now, your honor...

(singing)

A girl who finds shе’s not a looker
May well decide to be a hooker
A living even homely girls can pursue
But since I never did retire
Though now my rates are somewhat higher
One sin, by hook or crook, I’d like to undo
[BOYS]
Woah Nellie, hold the phone
Little Ruby wants it known
That it’s never too late
Never too late
Never too late to atone

[RUBY, spoken]
Get a wiggle on boys! You’re headed to happiness!

(spoken)

I had you guys incarcerated
But I was never violated
And so, you see, you’ve not committed a crime
The very minute that I seen ya’
I seen there’s not a dime between ya’
I know I’m good, but really, nine at a time?

(spoken)

Sing boys!

[BOYS]
Woah Nellie, hold the phone
Little Ruby wants it known
That it’s never too late
Never too late
Never too late to atone
[RUBY, spoken]
The ole’ switcheroo! I’m causin’ a hoo-hah!

(singing)

And so, despite my rave and rantin’
I’ll tell the jury I’m recantin’
I lost my head and lied when I was a youth
Back then, I was a homely phony
But now I change my testimony
May all my Johns drop dead if that ain’t the truth

They’ll see I just undid a blunder
And now I stand a cockeyed wonder
Who made a joyful noise?

[BOYS]
Who made a noise?

[RUBY]
Who freed those innocent boys?

[BOYS]
Who freed the boys?

[RUBY]
It’s...
[RUBY & BOYS]
Ruby!

[RUBY]
The lady’s named

[RUBY & BOYS]
Ruby!

[RUBY]
And the lady named

[RUBY & BOYS]
Ruby

[RUBY]
Just happens to be me!

[BOYS]
Woah Nellie, hold the phone
Little Ruby wants it known
That it’s never too late
Never too late
Never too late to atone