Evangeline is a burlesque of the poem of the same name by Longfellow in three acts written by Boston-bred showbiz novices J. Cheever Goodwin, who contributed the words, and Edward E. "Ned" Rice, who contributed the music. It opened at Niblo's Garden, New York, on 27 July 1874.

MIDI Files

ACT I

• No. 1 - Opening Chorus - "We must be off without delay, the wind is fresh, the sky is clear,  come, boys, arouse and work away, too long we linger here..."
• No. 2 - Ballad - Evangeline - "Wouldst know the thoughts by which my heart is brightened, and from whose presence care and sorrow flee? ..."
• No. 3 - Trio - Catherine, Eulalie and Eva - "Into the water we'll go, there to have fun and be gay.  Mermen and mermaids are down below, we'll be as happy as they."
• No. 4 - Chorus - "She's saved, she's saved, the whale is disappointed;  she's saved, she's saved, and happy are we all.  Let's sing until our lungs are hoarse..."
• No. 5 - Song - Gabriel - "Would you know the way I'm feeling?  Listen then and I will tell you.  I'm in love with such a darling girl, fit to be the fairies' Queen."
• No. 6 - Song - Le Blanc and Chorus - "Come listen to the mournful tale that I will try to tell to you, about a sailor, Sammy Smug, who sailed upon the waters blue."
• No. 7 - Duett - Evangeline and Gabriel - "The lover's breast is ne'er so blest as by the charm that music lends, for Cupid's dainty brow it bends..."
• No. 8 - Song - Le Blanc and Chorus - "A farmer lived in a town nearby (with a ring, ting, ting, ting, ting, tang, tong) and he was fond of a glass on the sly..."
• No. 9 - Soldiers' Chorus - "In us you see the chosen army of the land, who brave as lions are;  before our force no enemy can ever stand..."
• No. 10 - Solo and Ensemble - "He says I must go, for what I don't know, I'm sure I've done nothing that's naughty, and that I should be a prisoner of he..."

ACT II

• No. 11 - Boorioboola Gha Chorus - "Hickery, hackery, jim jam, Boorioboola Gha!  Whit ger wockerty flim flam, Boorioboola Gha!  Molly cum bibberty, carribolu..."
• No. 12 - Captain Dietrich and Chorus - "I'm in lofe mit a shveet leedle girls, und Katrina vos vot she vos called, unt her hair dot vos long unt vas hanging in curls..."
• No. 13 - Duet - Catherine and Le Blanc - "We are off to seek for Eva, she's the girl we want to see;  if she's found we'll never leave her till I've married him to she..."
• No. 14 - Male Quartette - "Round about the diamond field we go with billies in our hands, seeking here and seeking there the robbers of our land.  Twelve o'clock..."
• No. 15 - Policeman's Chant - "Prowling round the diamond fields at twelve o'clock at night, seeing all was right, safe and sound and tight.  There we found a party..."
• No. 16 - Song - Gabriel and Chorus - "Many, many years ago there lived a mighty king ... There lived a mighty king ... And his beard was white as snow..."
• No. 17 - Song - Evangeline - "Where are thou now, my beloved?  Canst thou not come to my call?  Sad is my heart, as the shades fall around me..."
• No. 18 - Finale Act II - "Great monarch, I thank thee for all you've done for me, and wish that ever throughout your life you may most happy be..."

ACT III

• No. 19 - Kissing Song - Evangeline - "Kissing goes they say by favour, and 'tis certain through all time.  Kissing has a certain flavor, making it almost sublime..."
• No. 20 - Duet - Evangeline and Gabriel - "Go not, happy day, yet a moment stay;  brief has been thy measure.  Tarry but an instant in thy flying..."
• No. 21 - Song - Evangeline - "You wonder why I'm feeling so joyous and so gay, why pleasure, gently o'er me stealing, drives doubts and troubles far away."
• No. 22 - Song and Waltz - Gabriel - "I've travelled East and West, and many countries seen;  many a girl with teeth of pearl, and rosy cheeks I ween..."
• No. 23 - Song - Evangeline - "Come to me quickly, my darling, leave me no longer alone, troubles and sorrows will vanish, only one kiss will atone..."
• No. 24 - Marching Chorus - "When first the sound of battle came, we gaily marched away;  for when we heard our country call, we could not but obey..."
• No. 25 - Song - Evangeline - "Sweet the song of birds in springtime as they fill with music all the air!  Sweet the breath of roses blooming, sighing out their souls..."
• No. 26 - Grand Finale - "Our little play is done; we'd tried to give you fun; our only aim has been to please, been to please, been to please.  All errors pray excuse."

Posters from various productions.

External Link

Evangeline at New York Public Library

American Musical Theatre

Page modified 27 November 2016