Copyright © 2005 The Gilbert and Sullivan Archive

CAPT.: Never mind the why and wherefore,
Love can level ranks, and therefore,
Though his lordship's station's mighty,
Though stupendous be his brain,
Though her tastes are mean and flighty,
And her fortune poor and plain:
CAPT. & SIR J.: Ring the merry bells on boardship,
Rend the air with warbling wild,
For the union of his/my lordship
With a humble captain's child!
CAPT.: For a humble captain's daughter,
JOSEPHINE: For a gallant captain's daughter,
SIR J.: And a Lord who rules the water,
JOSEPHINE: And a tar who ploughs the water.
ALL: Let the air with joy be laden,
Rend with songs the air above,
For the union of a maiden
With the man who owns her love!

SIR J.: Never mind the why and wherefore,
Love can level ranks, and therefore,
Though your nautical relation
In my set could scarcely pass--
Though you occupy a station
In the lower middle class--
CAPT. & SIR J.: Ring the merry bells on boardship,
Rend the air with warbling wild,
For the union of his/my lordship
With a humble captain's child!
CAPT.: For a humble captain's daughter,
JOSEPHINE: For a gallant captain's daughter,
SIR J.: And a Lord who rules the water,
JOSEPHINE: And a tar who ploughs the water.
ALL: Let the air with joy be laden,
Rend with songs the air above,
For the union of a maiden
With the man who owns her love!

JOSEPHINE: Never mind the why and wherefore,
Love can level ranks, and therefore
I admit the jurisdiction;
Ably have you played your part.
You have carried firm conviction
To my hesitating heart.
CAPT. & SIR J.: Ring the merry bells on boardship,
Rend the air with warbling wild,
For the union of his/my lordship
With a humble captain's child!
CAPT.: For a humble captain's daughter,
JOSEPHINE: For a gallant captain's daughter,
SIR J.: And a Lord who rules the water,
JOSEPHINE: And a tar who ploughs the water.
Let the air with joy be laden,
CAPT. & SIR J.: Ring the merry bells on boardship,
JOSEPHINE: For the union of a maiden,
CAPT. & SIR J.: For her union with his lordship,
ALL: Rend with songs the air above,
For the man who owns her love!
Rend with songs the air above,
For the man who owns her love!

By Arthur Sullivan
Generated by NoteWorthy Composer

Pinafore No. 16
Lyrics
Josephine
Captain
Sir Joseph
Piano
Piano-2
Tempo Track