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ACT I

No. 1: CHORUS

"Fair is Rose as bright May-day"

Midi Symbol MIDI File [18 KB, 2' 51 "]

SCENE.  The fishing village of Rederring (in Cornwall).  Rose Maybud's cottage is seen L. Villagers and Dame Hannah discovered. Enter Chorus of Bridesmaids.  They range themselves in front of Rose's cottage.

Chorus of Bridesmaids

Fair is Rose as bright May-day;
Soft is Rose as the warm west-wind;
Sweet is Rose as the new-mown hay —
Rose is queen of maiden-kind!
Rose, all glowing
With virgin blushes, say —
Is anybody going
To marry you to-day?

Solo — Zorah

Every day, as the days roll on,
Bridesmaids' garb we gaily don,
Sure that a maid so fairly famed
Can't long remain unclaimed.
Hour by hour and day by day,
Several months have passed away,
Though she's the fairest flower that blows,
No one has married Rose!

1926 D'Oyly Carte Production

Bridesmaids.
Rose, all glowing
With virgin blushes, say —
Is anybody going
To marry you to-day?
Zorah.
Hour by hour and day by day,
Months have passed away.
Bridesmaids.
Fair is Rose as bright May-day;
Soft is Rose as the warm west-wind;
Sweet is Rose as the new-mown hay —
Rose is queen of maiden-kind!
Rose, all glowing
With virgin blushes, say —
Is anybody going
To marry you to-day?
Fair is Rose,
Soft is Rose,
Rose is the Queen of Maidenkind!

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