No. 20 - Soli and Chorus - "Time there was when earthly joy"

from "The Mountebanks"
Words by W. S. Gilbert
Music by Alfred Cellier
Sequenced by Colin Johnson

By Alfred Cellier
Generated by NoteWorthy Composer

[Men:] Time there was when earthly joy
Gave our senses full employ;
In those days, for ever gone,
Bless us, how we carried on!
Clinking glasses- Lovely lasses-
Rebel hearty- Picnic party-
Gay donzella- Tarantella!
Gay donzella- Tarantella!
In those days, for ever gone,
Bless us, how we carried on!
It's a most unaccountable thing-
An hour ago, as banditti,
We played like young lovers in spring,
The mischief in village and city;
But since we got merry and mellow
On the wine of that conjuring fellow,
Transmogrified we're
Into friars austere,
Unwashed and unpleasantly yellow!
Whatever you say or you sing,
It's a most unaccountable thing!
[Ladies:] After a weary search
Hiding, at last, we find you;
Leaving us in the lurch
Isn't good breeding, mind you.
Offer apologee-
We shall want some persuading;
When do you think you'll be
Tired of masquerading?
[Solo Contralto:] This jocular monkish pretence,
Though all very well in its way;
Is likely to pall on the sense,
If kept up all night and all day.
[Solo Soprano:] At an overdrawn joke or take-in,
However amusing, we scoff,
So many know when to begin,
So very few when to leave off.
[Ladies:] So many know when to begin,
So very few when to leave off.

[Arrostino:] These blandishments I pray you curb,
Nor think us churls, nor think us churls;
Our pious calm do not disturb,
Now there's good girls, now there's good girls!
Though our emotions, as you see,
We try to freeze, we try to freeze!
We don't, as yet, pretend to be
St. Anthonies, St. Anthonies;
So go along, nor think us churls,
Now there's good girls, now there's good girls!
[Ladies:] Ah, cruel ones!
Time was, your love was stronger!
Ah, cruel ones!
You love us then no longer.
[Men:] It's a most unaccountable thing-
An hour ago, as banditti,
We played like young lovers in spring,
The mischief in village and city;
But since we got merry and mellow
On the wine of that conjuring fellow,
Transmogrified we're
Into friars austere,
Unwashed and unpleasantly yellow!
[All:] Transmogrified here
Into friars austere,
Unwashed and unpleasantly yellow!
Whatever you say or you sing,
It's a most unaccountable thing!
Ah! What does this mean- what have you done?
Do not attempt away to run
Nor questions try to parry.
[Ladies:] The men to whom we were betrothed
We find as holy friars clothed,
Who mustn't ever marry!
[All:] Who mustn't ever marry!
[Pietro:] Now I'll explain,
(If calm you'll be)
As well as I can
Though I'm in pain
And ought to see
A medical man.
[Chorus:] This man, it's plain,
As well as we,
Is under a ban.
If he's in pain
He ought to see
A medical man.
[Ladies:] If he's in pain,
[Men:] If he's in pain,
[Ladies:] It is as plain
[Men:] It is as plain
[Ladies:] As plain can be
[Men:] As plain can be
[Ladies:] He ought to see
[Men:] He ought to see
[All:] A medical, medical, medical, medical,
medical, medical man.
[Men:] If he's in pain,
[Ladies:] If he's in pain,
[Men:] It is as plain
[Ladies:] It is as plain
[Men:] As plain can be
[Ladies:] As plain can be
[Men:] He ought to see
[Ladies:] He ought to see
[All:] A medical, medical, medical, medical,
medical, medical man.
[Pietro:] My worthy friends,
the wine you chose to drink
Makes every one what he pretends to be;
You personated monks, and monks you are,
And will be monks until the spell's removed.
[Chorus:] Oh, horror!
Oh, horror and despair unprecedented!
[Ladies:] But how long
must they wait- to dreary cell,
To life-long celibacy sternly vowed?
[Men:] Yes, say- how long?
[Pietro:] Have patience, for I hold the antidote,
And in an hour or two, or thereabouts,
The spell shall be removed, and you may wed
As quickly and as often as you please!
[Chorus:] Oh, rapture!
Oh, rapture, joy, and bliss unprecedented!
[Ladies:] An hour! 'twill rapidly pass,
Our freedom we then shall recover;
Each lover will welcome his lass-
Each lass will return to her lover!
The bells for our wedding will chime,
Delight in each bosom implanting,
So, gentlemen, in the mean time,
Proceed, if you please, with your chaunting!
So, pray proceed, if you please, with your chaunting!
[Ensemble:] An hour! 'twill rapidly pass,
Our freedom we then shall recover;
Each lover will welcome his lass-
Each lass will return to her lover!
The bells for our wedding will chime,
Delight in each bosom implanting,
So, gentlemen, in the mean time,
Proceed, if you please, with your chaunting!
So, pray proceed, if you please, with your chaunting!
[Men:] Earthly pleasures that allure,
For an hour we abjure!

Karaoke version compiled by Colin Johnson

No. 20 - Soli & Chorus - "Time there was"
Soft karaoke
Words
Soprano Soloist
Contralto Soloist
Arrostino
Pietro
Sopranos
Contraltos
Tenors
Basses
Right Hand
Left Hand
Karaoke Track