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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

The defendant (Edwin) sings this duplicitous but thoroughly entertaining little song to try to win over the jury (all male) to his side. Although William's words are logically barbed, Arthur's lovely lilting music seems to take most of the sting out of them. And, in any case, the domestic division isn't entirely one sided as a look at the opera will show! Have a go at singing it with Edwin (and the the chorus - of jurors and bridesmaids!) and enjoy the experience . . .

Oh, Gentlemen, Listen,

Solo: Oh, gentlemen, listen, I pray,
Tho' I own that my heart has been ranging,
Of nature the laws I obey,
For nature is constantly changing:
The moon in phases is found,
The time and the wind and the weather,
The months in succession come round,
And you don't find two Mondays together.

Ah--! Consider the moral I pray,
Nor bring a young fellow to sorrow,
Who loves this young lady today,
And loves that young lady tomorrow!

Chorus: Consider the moral we pray,
Nor bring a young fellow to sorrow,
Who loves this young lady today,
And loves that young lady tomorrow!

Solo: You, cannot eat breakfast all day,
Nor is it the act of a sinner,
When breakfast is taken away,
To turn his attention to dinner;
And it's not in the range of belief,
To look upon him as a glutton,
Who, when he is tired of beef,
Determines to tackle the mutton.

Ah--! But this I am willing to say,
If it will appease her sorrow,
I'll marry this lady today,
And I'll marry the other tomorrow.

Chorus: But this he is willing to say,
If it will appease her sorrow,
He'll marry this lady today,
And he'll marry the other tomorrow.

Hope you enjoyed that. Time to take one more look at it? 

Or move on to tackle  A Nice Dilemma. . .?

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