Bab Ballads and Savoy Songs Part 11

Sunlight takes the place of shade When you marry merry maid!

When a merry maiden marries Sorrow goes and pleasure tarries; Every sound becomes a song, All is right, and nothing's wrong.

Gnawing Care and aching Sorrow, Get ye gone until to-morrow; Jealousies in grim array, Ye are things of yesterday!

When you marry merry maiden, Then the air with joy is laden; All the corners of the earth Ring with music sweetly played, Worry is melodious mirth.

Grief is joy in masquerade; Sullen night is laughing day-- All the year is merry May!

THE SUICIDE'S GRAVE.

On a tree by the river a little tomt.i.t Sang "Willow, t.i.twillow, t.i.twillow!"

And I said to him, "d.i.c.ky-bird, why do you sit Singing 'Willow, t.i.twillow, t.i.twillow?'

Is it weakness of intellect, birdie?" I cried, "Or a rather tough worm in your little inside?"

With a shake of his poor little head he replied, "Oh, willow, t.i.twillow, t.i.twillow!"

He slapped at his chest, as he sat on that bough, Singing "Willow, t.i.twillow, t.i.twillow!"

And a cold perspiration bespangled his brow, Oh, willow, t.i.twillow, t.i.twillow!

He sobbed and he sighed, and a gurgle he gave, Then he threw himself into the billowy wave, And an echo arose from the suicide's grave-- "Oh, willow, t.i.twillow, t.i.twillow!"

Now I feel just as sure as I'm sure that my name Isn't Willow, t.i.twillow, t.i.twillow, That 'twas blighted affection that made him exclaim, "Oh, willow, t.i.twillow, t.i.twillow!"

And if you remain callous and obdurate, I Shall perish as he did, and you will know why, Though I probably shall not exclaim as I die, "Oh, willow, t.i.twillow, t.i.twillow!"

HE AND SHE.

HE.

I know a youth who loves a little maid-- (Hey, but his face is a sight for to see!) Silent is he, for he's modest and afraid-- (Hey, but he's timid as a youth can be!)

SHE.

I know a maid who loves a gallant youth, (Hey, but she sickens as the days go by!) She cannot tell him all the sad, sad truth-- (Hey, but I think that little maid will die!)

BOTH.

Now tell me pray, and tell me true, What in the world should the poor soul do?

HE.

He cannot eat and he cannot sleep-- (Hey, but his face is a sight for to see!) Daily he goes for to wail--for to weep-- (Hey, but he's wretched as a youth can be!)

SHE.

She's very thin and she's very pale-- (Hey, but she sickens as the days go by!) Daily she goes for to weep--for to wail-- (Hey, but I think that little maid will die!)

BOTH.

Now tell me pray, and tell me true, What in the world should the poor soul do?

SHE.

If I were the youth I should offer her my name-- (Hey, but her face is a sight for to see!)

HE.

If I were the maid I should feed his honest flame-- (Hey, but he's bashful as a youth can be!)

SHE.

If I were the youth I should speak to her to-day-- (Hey, but she sickens as the days go by!)

HE.

If I were the maid I should meet the lad half way-- (For I really do believe that timid youth will die'!)

BOTH.

I thank you much for your counsel true; I've learnt what that poor soul ought to do!

[Ill.u.s.tration]

THE LORD CHANCELLOR'S SONG.

The law is the true embodiment Of everything that's excellent.

It has no kind of fault or flaw, And I, my lords, embody the Law.

The const.i.tutional guardian I Of pretty young Wards in Chancery, All very agreeable girls--and none Are over the age of twenty-one.

A pleasant occupation for A rather susceptible Chancellor!

But though the compliment implied Inflates me with legitimate pride, It nevertheless can't be denied That it has its inconvenient side.

For I'm not so old, and not so plain, And I'm quite prepared to marry again, But there'd be the deuce to pay in the Lords If I fell in love with one of my Wards: Which rather tries my temper, for I'm _such_ a susceptible Chancellor!

And everyone who'd marry a Ward Must come to me for my accord: So in my court I sit all day, Giving agreeable girls away, With one for him--and one for he-- And one for you--and one for ye-- And one for thou--and one for thee-- But never, oh never a one for me!

Which is exasperating, for A highly susceptible Chancellor!

WILLOW WALY!

HE.

Prithee, pretty maiden--prithee, tell me true (Hey, but I'm doleful, willow, willow waly!) Have you e'er a lover a-dangling after you?

Hey, willow waly O!

I fain would discover If you have a lover?

Hey, willow waly O!

SHE.