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No. 9a - Entr'acte & Melodrame

MIDI File

No. 10 - Lantern Chorus and Ballad - Gretchen, Katrina and Girls

MIDI File

Chorus: By the thicket path we are trudging slow,
Nettle, briar, bramble
Mar a moonlight ramble,
Wonderful how thorns will around one grow,
Spiky things, and spiteful,
'Stead of flow'rs delightful!
Well! it is for Gretchen, so we don't mind!
Leave our old companion?
No, that were unkind!
Katrina: What I don't quite understand
Is the need for lamps in hand,
Seeing 'tis a man we're after,
All: Seeing 'tis a man we're after!
Katrina: If to lure a man I'd try,
All the lamp I'd light's my eye!
Other hunt's but food for laughter,
All: Other hunt's but food for laughter!
Katrina: Where is Rip's wife?
Lost, on my life!
All: Gretchen, ho! Gretchen, ho!
Gretchen, ho! Gretchen, ho!
Katrina: Ah! you're there at last!
Gretchen (entering):
  Have you seen him?
Ah! your good news don't be delaying!
Chorus: Not yet! not yet!
Gretchen: Where ever can poor Rip be straying?
He sure must hear?
Chorus: He must be near!
Katrina: Hark! wasn't that the village chime?
If so, I'd state,
Girls, it is late!
And to return it is full time,
Or look out for lectures and lock'd gate!
(to Gretchen) My dear, come too,
You've done, 'tis true,
More for your husband than he'd do for you!
Gretchen: Not yet!
At least with me you might
Wish the weary wanderer Good Night!
   
Gretchen: Now the twilight shadows are stealing
Over the village more and more,
But yet a deeper shadow I'm feeling,
Dark'ning around my cottage door!
Ah! how eagerly I would listen
Till his familiar voice I'd hear!
And my glad eyes with joy-drops would glisten,
But now with a tear.
Wheresoever thou may'st roam,
Far from the lov'd ones, far from thy home,
May Hope return with morning light,
Heav'n give thee Good Night, my own, Goodnight...
Chorus: Wheresoever thou may'st roam,
Far from the lov'd ones, far from thy home,
All: May Hope return with morning light,
Gretchen: Heav'n give thee Good Night, my own,
All: Good Night!
   
Gretchen: Now the peaceful vespers are ringing
Good will to earth from heav'n above,
This is the hour that should now be bringing
Heart close to heart in perfect love!
But the sacred litany stealing,
Requiem like, o'er parting day,
To my spirit, alas! brings no healing,
For he is away!
Wheresoever thou may'st roam,
Far from the lov'd ones, far from thy home,
May Hope return with morning light,
Heav'n give thee Good Night, my own, Goodnight...
Chorus: Wheresoever thou may'st roam,
Far from the lov'd ones, far from thy home,
All: May Hope return with morning light,
Gretchen: Heav'n give thee Good Night, my own,
All: Good Night!

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British Musical Theatre | Rip Van Winkle

Page modified 29 May 2017