Yes Doesn’t Always Mean Yes
Verse 1
A thousand people come today,
And ten of them are ill.
The test will find nine out of ten —
A very clever skill.
Verse 2
But eighty-nine who have no thing
Will hear the word as well.
So out of ten who hear a yes,
Just one of them is ill.
Chorus
Yes doesn't always mean yes,
No doesn't always mean no.
Count up the people, and then you will know —
Yes doesn't always mean yes.
Verse 3
Now when they say that you are clear,
That no is strong and true,
Because so few were ever ill,
There's little left for you.
Verse 4
But in a ward where half are sick,
That no is weaker still.
It all depends on who came in,
And not upon the skill.
Chorus
Yes doesn't always mean yes,
No doesn't always mean no.
Count up the people, and then you will know —
Yes doesn't always mean yes.
Bridge
Ask it, ask it, ask the thing,
It's the only thing to ask:
Out of a hundred just like me,
How many really have it?
Final Chorus
Yes doesn't always mean yes,
No doesn't always mean no.
Count up the people, and then you will know —
And now you know. Now you know.
Of What?
Verse 1
They told me thirty percent
And they turned to walk away.
I said, "That's very kind of you —
Of what?" is all I'd say.
Chorus
Of what? (of what) Of what? (of what)
A half of a little is a very little lot.
Give me the people, give me the hundred,
Then tell me what I've got.
Verse 2
Two in a hundred fall ill,
And one, if I take the pill.
That's half! That's half! the headline says —
And one small person still.
Chorus
Of what? (of what) Of what? (of what)
A half of a little is a very little lot.
Give me the people, give me the hundred,
Then tell me what I've got.
Verse 3
A hundred take the medicine
So one of them stays well.
Is that a lot? Is that a little?
Only I can tell.
Verse 4
And seven in a hundred
Will have it by the spring.
They showed me only seven —
I asked for the other thing.
Chorus
Of what? (of what) Of what? (of what)
A half of a little is a very little lot.
Give me the people, give me the hundred,
Then tell me what I've got.
Bridge
And if nobody knows, then nobody knows,
And that's a fine thing to say.
A doctor who will tell me so
Is the doctor for me today.
Final Chorus
Of what? (of what) Of what? (of what)
A half of a little is a very little lot.
Give me the people, give me the hundred —
And now I know what I've got.