MOTHER SUPERIOR:
Outside, life's a mess
No one's pure of spirit any longer
There's no wrong or right, just wrong and wronger
People have amused themselves to death
Outside, life is grim
Filled with smut and scandal to the brim
I suppose there may be room for Him -
Frankly, I don't plan to hold my breath

But here within these walls, days are filled with grace
God is in his place, his wisdom still respected
Here within these walls, life has a different pace from life beyond our doors
And for what it's worth, this life's now yours!

Outside all is vice
People now are absolutely shameless
Most, including those who shall be nameless
Hardly seem to know or even care
Outside, all is sin
And I won't have the outside coming in
Trust me, it's a battle you won't win -
Frankly, dear, you haven't got a prayer

Here within these walls, life is sweet and good
Faith is understood, and selfishness rejected
Work, prayer, and sisterhood are what life's built upon
That's how it will stay, or else you're gone!
So put aside your gluttony!
Put aside your pride!
As for carnal lust, you need a break, I trust
Put it all aside!
Put aside intemperance!
Profanity as well!
Put aside each remnant of your former worldly shell

MOTHER SUPERIOR/NUNS:
Here within these walls, (Ave)
All is stripped away
Surrender and obey, (Maria)
That's all that is expected
Here within these walls, (gratia) all else is kept at bay
Through the world may go astray, (plena)
Here etenal truths hold sway

Here within these walls, (Salve Regina)
Life is truly blessed! (Mater misericordiae)
Here you're God's own guest (vita, dulcedo)
Celestially protected.(et spes nostra salve)
Here within these walls, all's for the very best
And always shall be thus and if heaven's will be done
Here she'll just be one more nun, (Salve Regina)
Safe within these walls as one of us!
(salve, salve, amen.)