Page type: lyric reference
Artist: Miss Saigon
Canonical path: /miss-saigon/what-a-waste
Related lyric paths: 6
Video embedded: yes
Lyric guide
What A Waste
Read What A Waste lyrics by Miss Saigon on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
person
Curated by Ethan Walker
LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot
The page facts to cite before the commentary
Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.
Lyrics
What A Waste
The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.
A street filled with vendors in Patpong in Bangkok, outside a sleazy night-club called "Le
Moulin Rouge" where the ENGINEER is doorman and barker. Other DOORMEN compete
with him for the attention of crowds of TOURISTS.)
ENGINEER
check it out, hey!
yo! check it out!
hey, boy! You want to try my girls?
try my girls, eh? etc...
DOORMEN
girls! I got girls!
DOORMEN
gorgeous girls!
DOORMEN
very nice!
TOURISTS
hey, wow! Oh look! We gotta see!
VENDORS
bags! Gucci bags!
VENDORS
cultured pearls!
VENDORS
shrimp and rice!
TOURISTS
I'm glad my wife's not here with me!
ENGINEER
what a waste!
to pay for my keep
I'm rounding up sheep
to fleece here in Bangkok
I'm disgraced
I can't get ahead
there's nothing as dead
as peace here in Bangkok
ten cents an hour, and I stand all day
I could sell Kim for ten times my pay
(to some TOURISTS)
if you're looking for fun
original sin
if you want to put out
then you gotta come in
(TOURISTS pass. He tries to make them take his leaflets.)
DOORMEN
girls! I got girls!
DOORMEN
gorgeous girls!
DOORMEN
very nice!
DOORMEN
girls!
ENGINEER (to TOURISTS)
gee, isn't Bangkok really neat?
DOORMEN
I got girls!
ENGINEER
the things they're selling on the street
DOORMEN
girls!
ENGINEER
fresh dog, if that's what you'd enjoy
DOORMEN
worth the price
ENGINEER
a girl, or if you want a boy
DOORMEN and the ENGINEER
come, come to me
first drink is free
ENGINEER
to two Japanese TOURISTS)
don't be a lump, you can hump
for a small extra fee
ENGINEER
I'm depressed
for hustling amours
to Japanese tours
is no treat in Bangkok
I'm the best
but where's a Marine
with fistfuls of green
I'd cheat him in Bangkok
ten cents an hour...
(The CLUB OWNER, the ENGINEER'S boss, passes.)
evening, Boss
...screw the Siamese
look how they're ripping off... refugees
(to another PASSER-BY)
ENGINEER
if you're looking for fun
original sin
if you want to put out
then you gotta come in
DOORMEN
girls!
ENGINEER
hey boys, don't stand around like wimps
DOORMEN
I got girls!
ENGINEER
watch out, those guys, they're really pimps
DOORMEN
girls!
ENGINEER
you want some thrills, I'll guarantee some
DOORMEN
half the price!
ENGINEER tonight, a twosome or a threesome
DOORMEN
hey, come to me!
(unfolding folders of photos)
DOORMEN
look what you'll see!
ENGINEER
hey, that's a joke, mine blow smoke
for a small extra fee
VENDORS
acid, marijuana and hash
DOORMEN
we'll get you high in a flash
TOURISTS
let's go and see what they mean
VENDORS
chicken, lemon grass and bamboo
TOURISTS
we want to try something new
DOORMEN
come do the ping pong routine!
ENGINEER
hey, Joe, try taking a little excursion
you'll all feel good from a little perversion
TOURISTS
oh yeah!
ENGINEER
massage requiring total immersion
TOURISTS
oh wow!
ENGINEER
some strange positions they say are Persian
TOURISTS
oh no!
ENGINEER
drinks are on me
first girl is free
what can I say? You get me
for a small extra fee!
VENDORS
acid, marijuana and hash
DOORMEN
we'll get you high in a flash
TOURISTS
let's go and see what he means
VENDORS
chicken, lemon grass and bamboo
TOURISTS
we want to try something new
DOORMEN
come do the ping pong routine
Quick answers
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "What A Waste"?
Miss Saigon performs "What A Waste", and this lyric page sits inside the Miss Saigon catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "What A Waste"?
Yes. The related section below points to Bui Doi (Brasil) and Ceremony (Djuv Vui Vay) with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by Miss Saigon?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Miss Saigon's lyric pages.
Song Room
Open Song Room
Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song
Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.
Listener comments
What people are saying
No listener comments on What A Waste yet.
A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.
Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.