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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

This number is from 'Trial By Jury' by Gilbert & Sullivan. W S  Gilbert was on his own (legal) ground here. The Learned Judge is having fun trying a case of Breach of Promise. The bride is accompanied by her giggle of bridesmaids (MusicSmiles description). (Students of English {G&S?} are encouraged to advise us of a suitable collective noun - A Cuddle of Bridesmaids maybe . .? Discuss!). The words are a hoot, and it helps to be not too sensitive.

Visualize the scene! The actor playing the part of the Judge has a lot of merriment and, as you can imagine, there is a fair amount of amusement from the chorus during the song. Arthur's brother, Fred Sullivan was the very first 'Judge'. And we in MusicSmiles will long remember a young actor named Patrick Fyffe (who subsequently turned professional as Dame Hilda - in the famous Hinge & Bracket duo) brilliantly playing the Judge in a local amateur production near to Stackton Tressel¹  Have a go and join in with us . . .

The Judge's Song

Judge: When I, good friends, was called to the Bar,
I'd an appetite fresh and hearty,
But I was, as many young barristers are,
An impecunious party.
I'd a swallow-tail coat of a beautiful blue-
A brief which I bought of a booby-
A couple of shirts and a collar or two,
And a ring that looked like a ruby!
Chorus (SATB): A couple of shirts and a collar or two,
And a ring that looked like a ruby!

Judge: In Westminster Hall I danced a dance,
Like a semi-despondent fury;
For I thought I never would hit on a chance
Of addressing a British Jury-
But I soon got tired of third-class journeys,
And dinners of bread and water;
So I fell in love with a rich attorney's 
Elderly, ugly daughter.
Chorus: So he fell in love with a rich attorney's 
Elderly, ugly daughter.

Judge: The rich attorney, he jumped with joy,
And replied to my fond professions:
"You shall reap the reward of your pluck my boy
At the Bailey and Middlesex Sessions.
You'll soon get used to her looks," said he,
"And a very nice girl you'll find her!
She may very well pass for forty-three
In the dusk, with a light behind her!"
Chorus: She may very well pass for forty-three
In the dusk, with a light behind her!"

Judge: The rich attorney was good as his word;
The briefs came trooping gaily,
And ev'ry day my voice was heard,
At the Sessions or Ancient Bailey.
All thieves who could my fees afford,
Relied on my orations,
And many a burglar I've restored
To his friends and his relations!
Chorus: And many a burglar he's restored
To his friends and his relations!

Judge: At length I became as rich as the Gurneys-
An incubus then I thought her;
So I threw over that rich attorney's
Elderly, ugly daughter!
The rich attorney my character high
tried vainly to disparage-
And now, if you please, I'm ready to try
This breach of promise of marriage!
Chorus: And now, if you please, he's ready to try
This breach of promise of marriage!

Judge: For now I'm a Judge!
Chorus: And a good Judge too!
Judge: For now I'm a Judge!
Chorus: And a good Judge too!


Judge: Though all my law be fudge,
Yet I'll never, never budge,
But I'll live and die a Judge!
Chorus: And a good Judge too!

Judge: It was managed by a job -
Chorus: And a good job too!
Judge: It was managed by a job!
Chorus: And a good job too!
Judge: It is patent to the mob,
That my being made a nob
Was effected by a job.
Judge & Chorus: And a good job . . too . .!

Hope you enjoyed having a jolly good sing to our MusicSmiles arrangement of this evergreen from the first (well nearly the first!) G&S stable!

If you would like to hear The Defendant's plea, click here to listen to the Love Sick Boy.

1.    Footnote: (See also footnote to Dear Little Donkey). Return to story.

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