Love Is Merest Folly 1899 'The Singing Girl'

James Pitt-Payne, London UK - 22 Jan 2004

By my mien which is Byronic,
and my speech which is sardonic,
you may think I need a tonic,
but your theory is wrong.
I am merely misanthropic,
with a temper warm and tropic;
but all this is not the topic
of this introductr'y song.
You recall I was the lover
of a girl who threw me over;
I'm beginning to recover
from the sling of Cupid's dart.
But in stern commemoration,
I have made some legislation,
which will keep in regulation
all affections of the heart.
Love? Bah!
Love is merest folly,
Moonshine and balderdash!
Tommiest of rot!
Love! Bah!
Love is never jolly.
Woman!
I wouldn't give a copper for the lot.

Till my laws had been enacted,
there was ne'er a tax exacted
from the silly fools attracted;
they could kiss and marry free.
But just now they're not so cheerful,
for they pay a tax that's fearful;
and their pray'rs for mercy tearful
only cause me ghoulish glee.
If your silly heart is aching,
and you wish to be love making,
it's the worst kind of law breaking
if no license you have got.
And a pair detected spooning,
Lovetalk crooning or communing,
if they haven't got a license
must be married on the spot.
Love? Bah!
Love is merest folly,
Moonshine and balderdash!
Tommiest of rot!
Love! Bah!
Love is never jolly.
Woman!
I wouldn't give a copper for the lot.

Soft karaoke
Words
piano 1
piano 2
piano 3
piano 4
lyric
pizz str bass
*
Love Is Merest Folly 1899
Lyrics by Harry B. Smith
Music by Victor Herbert
copyright MCCCCXCIX by M. Witmark & Sons.
*
sequence and karaoke by James Pitt-Payne, London UK
on Thursday 22 January 2004 at 11.56
in association with Doug Grierson
*
As Produced by the Alice Nielsen Opera Co.
at The Casino, New York. Sung by Mr. Eugene Cowles.
Music by Victor Herbert. Book by Stanislaus Stange.
Lyrics by Harry B. Smith.
Stanislaus Stange Harry B. Smith Publication:
New York: M. Witmark & Sons, 1899.
*