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No. 9 - Finale Act I - "When I come back."

MIDI File

Rip: When I come back
'twill be no more to roam.
Thenceforth to stay with thee at home!
Come, Gretchen, do not pout!
One would think that my word you doubt!
Gretchen: I do not doubt you, but I fear.
I'd keep you, now I have you here!
Rip: Nay, I must go!
Gretchen: Well! Since it must be so!
But do not stay long time away!
Both: Away with doubt and fearing,
He'll/I'll soon be home again!
Katrina & others: Away with doubt and fearing,
He'll soon be home again!
Rip: What matter if I'm hearing
The voices of the glen?
Others: Pray Heav'n he be not hearing
The voices of the glen!
Rip & Gretchen: And ere bright morn is burning
Upon the mountain grey,
You'll see me, love, returning
To kiss your tears away.
Others: Her love will be returning
To kiss her tears away.
Her love will be returning
To kiss her tears away!
Rip & Gretchen: Away with doubt and fearing,
He'll/I'll soon be home again!
Others: Away with doubt and fearing,
He'll soon be home again!
Rip: What matter if I'm hearing
The voices of the glen?
Others: Pray Heav'n he be not hearing
The voices of the glen!
Derrick: Our dear Rip off again?
Let's hope it is an error!
Gretchen (aside): Ah! (That dreadful man!
He fills my heart with terror!)
Rip: Yes that is so! Off I go!
Derrick: Your charming wife thus quitting?
No, no, that's not befitting!
Gretchen: That's what I say!
Derrick: You hear? I, too, say nay!
Rip: You too?
Gretchen: You too?
Derrick: I too!
Rip: Say nay?
Derrick: Say nay!
To pay with int'rest what you are owing
Is honest, you need not be told;
But he who takes it would fain be knowing
Where and from whom you got the gold?
Yes, he who takes it would fain be knowing
Where and from whom you got the gold?
Rip: From whom? and where?
Derrick: Quite so! Where got you this gold?
Rip: I have no recollection,
I have no recollection!
Derrick: These very coins now aid in your detection!
Your gracious king, and us too, you have sold,
(Ah! traitor vile!) for French gold!
Rip: Liar! 'Tis false!
Derrick: At last he's confess'd!
This spy, this village pest!
And you have struck a blow!
Rip van Winkle, look to yourself!
You would have force? Be it so!
All: 'Tis with indignation,
That his charge we hear!
Malice lurks behind his words, and in each tone;
For this accusation, it is very clear,
Means revenge on Rip, revenge, and that alone!
Chorus: The redcoats, Rip, beware,
Beware their leaden pills,
Be off, man, like a hunted hare,
Off to the hills!
Rip: My darling!
Though we, alas, now sever,
With the heart full of pain,
Thou art yet mine for ever,
Ay! we'll meet, love, again!
Yes, we'll meet, love, again!
Rip & Gretchen: Though we, alas, now sever,
With the heart full of pain,
Thou art yet mine for ever,
Thou art yet mine for ever,
Ay! we'll meet, love, again!
Men: What's that we hear?
Katrina: There they come!
Burgomaster: Fly, oh, fly!
Vedder: Fly, oh, fly!
Gretchen: Ay! quickly go,
Lest your retreat they know!
Rip: As for that, as for that,
They'll not dare to show their face
Around about my hiding place!
I fear no mortal foe!
Whither now I shall go!
Ladies: Where do you go?
Basses: Where do you go?
Tenors: Where do you go?
Basses: Where do you go?
Rip: Listen, friends, if you'd know
Where I go!
From deep forest hoary,
Lift in awful glory
Mountains grey and old,
That myst'ry and tradition hold;
Never mortal daring
Thither reckless faring
E'er return'd the tale
To tell to maiden pale!
There, all nature slumbers,
Torrents still their numbers,
Silence over all
Throws her drowsy pall!
Chorus: No, no!
Gretchen: Oh! beware! take care, take care!
Whosoe'er thou art, by the dark glen straying!
Never dare to linger there,
By the trancèd solitude spell-bound delaying!
Chorus: Spirits in the pale moonlight
Gretchen: From a long-forgotten past glide by,
Chorus: Mortals to their doom invite,
Gretchen: Hearken not the weird temptation,
Chorus: Fly, oh! fly!
All: Oh! beware! take care, take care!
If so be thou art by the dark glen straying!
Never dare to linger there!
By the trancèd solitude spell-bound delaying!
Spirits in the pale moonlight
From a long-forgotten past glide by,
Mortals to their doom invite,
Hearken not the weird temptation,
Fly, oh! fly!

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Page modified 29 May 2017