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Women Cannot Read Lyrics by Donovan Colan

Theater Camp (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

2023

[PASSENGERS]
America, America
We're sailing to America
In 1963
[DEVON/JOAN'S FATHER]
Oh, my little Joan, come! Look at the horizon! Think of all the possibilities that await you
In America, enlightened nation
Where even women get education
From clean to cook, every skill you need
Don't fret, I'll tell the recipes 'cause women cannot read
[DEVON/JOAN'S FATHER AND PASSENGERS]
Oh, women cannot read
Women cannot read
A-B-C-D, she don't know
'Cause women cannot read
[MACKENZIE/JOAN]
Tata! I know you were among the wisest men back in Susnovietz
Admired by the Jews, even respected by the Soviets
I trust your understanding of the workings of the world
But I see somebody reading and I think that it's a girl?!
[DEVON/JOAN'S FATHER]
If they're reading, they're a boy. A genius boy! All men are genius in America. Many men in America. You will love it, my Joan!
In America, romantic nation
Men will be fighting for your adoration
You choose who you want, love can take the lead
As long as he is Jewish, also Polish, also on my list, a list that I'll recite to you 'cause women cannot read
[DEVON/JOAN'S FATHER AND PASSENGERS]
Oh, women cannot read
Women cannot read
A-B-C-D, we don't know
'Cause women cannot read
[MACKENZIE/JOAN]
Tata, there's nothing more romantic than my dad picking my mate for me
Of course I love it when you swear you'll come on every date with me
But even if in Poland girls take pride in being meek, in New York there's a religion called the Feminine Mystique
I remember Mama lit the room up like a lighthouse in a fog
When she raised her voice to sing and pray in synagogue
Tata, in America, could I make noise like Mama did?
Could I become a banker or a doctor or a drama kid?
[DEVON/JOAN'S FATHER]
Oh, sweet Joan. I know you miss your dead mother. But that's no reason to dream crazy dreams. If you were a man, ach! Who knows. But you are my little illiterate woman. Just be happy with what you're going to have, my child!
[MACKENZIE/JOAN]
Okay, I know there's something better
Than to cook and do the cleaning
But I look at every letter
And I wanna know its meaning
I'm wrestling with these words
That I'm an inch away from knowing
My eyes are moving back and forth
The sense of it is growing
[DEVON/JOAN'S FATHER]
In America, enlightened nation
Where even women get education
From clean to cook, every skill you need
Don't fret, I'll tell the recipes 'cause women cannot read
[MACKENZIE/JOAN]
J- J- Jifka was shot
[PASSENGERS]
Maybe she can read
[DEVON/JOAN'S FATHER]
No way!
[PASSENGERS]
Maybe she can read
[DEVON/JOAN'S FATHER]
That's luck!
A-B-C-D, she can't know
[PASSENGERS]
Or maybe she can read
[MACKENZIE/JOAN]
It's New York Harbor, look
That statue holds a book
It's A-M-E-R-I-C-A- See, Tata, I can read
[PASSENGERS]
Hey!
Credits
Donovan Colan

Donovan Colan

About “Women Cannot Read” by Donovan Colan

Read the complete lyrics to "Women Cannot Read" by Donovan Colan from the album "Theater Camp (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)" in 2023. On Lyrks you can follow along with the full text, explore the artist's discography, and discover related songs. The track is often categorized under Pop.

"Women Cannot Read" is performed by Donovan Colan. from the album "Theater Camp (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)" in 2023 This page provides the full lyric text for fans who want to sing along, study the songwriting, or compare versions across releases. Lyrks organizes lyrics by artist and song slug so you can bookmark and share a stable URL. Music lyrics help listeners connect with emotion, narrative, and rhythm in a track. Whether you are learning English, researching a favorite chorus, or preparing for karaoke, having accurate line breaks and section labels (verse, chorus, bridge) makes the experience easier. We link to the official artist profile on Lyrks where available, including biography snippets, top songs, and chart placements when we have that data. If you enjoy "Women Cannot Read", explore more songs by Donovan Colan using the links below. Chart and trending pages on Lyrks highlight what listeners are searching for this week. For copyright or correction requests, see our DMCA and contact pages.

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Frequently asked questions

"Women Cannot Read" is credited to Donovan Colan. Songwriting credits may include additional writers listed on the release; check the credits section on this page for linked collaborators.

"Women Cannot Read" appears on "Theater Camp (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)" in 2023.

Visit the Donovan Colan artist page at /artist/donovan-colan for biography, popular tracks, and links to more lyric pages.