The Gondoliers by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan

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No. 14: SCENA

"Here we are, at the risk of our lives"

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Enter Chorus of Contadine, running in, led by Fiametta and Vittoria. They are met by all the Ex-Gondoliers, who welcome them heartily.

Contadine.

Here we are, at the risk of our lives,
From ever so far, and we've brought your wives —
And to that end we've crossed the main,
And don't intend to return again!
To that end we've crossed the main,
And don't intend to return again!
Here we are at risk of our lives,
And we've brought, we've brought your wives.
Here we are, at the risk of our lives,
And we've brought your wives,
And to that end, to that end we've crossed the main,
And we don't, don't intend to return again!

Fiametta.

Tho' obedience is strong,
Curiosity's stronger —
We waited for long,
Till we couldn't wait longer.

Vittoria.

It's imprudent, we know,
But without your society
Existence was slow,
And we wanted variety —

Fiametta & Vittoria.

Existence was slow,
And we wanted variety.
Yes, we wanted variety.

All.

So here we are, at the risk of our lives,
And we've brought your wives —
And to that end, to that end we've crossed the main,
And we don't, don't intend to return again!

Enter Gianetta and Tessa. They rush to the arms of Marco and Giuseppe.

Giuseppe.	Tessa!
Tessa.		Giuseppe!
Gianetta.	Marco!
Marco.		Gianetta!
		(All embrace.)

Click on picture to enlarge — Gianetta & Tessa (Muriel Dickson & Marjorie Eyre) 1930s

Gianetta.	Tessa.
	After sailing to this island —
Tossing in a manner frightful,
	We are all once more on dry land —
And we find the change delightful,
	As at home we've been remaining — We've not seen you both for ages,
Tell me, are you fond of reigning? How's the food, and what's the wages?
	Does your new employment please ye? —
How does Royalizing strike you?
	Is it difficult or easy? —
Do you think your subjects like you?
	I am anxious to elicit, Is it plain and easy steering?
Take it altogether, is it Better fun than gondoliering?

Both.

We shall both go on requesting
Till you tell us, never doubt it;
Everything is interesting,
Tell us, tell us all about it!

Chorus.

They will both go on requesting
Till you tell them, never doubt it;
Everything is interesting,
Tell us, tell us all about it!

Gianetta.	Tessa.
	Is the populace exacting?
Do they keep you at a distance?
	All unaided are you acting,
Or do they provide assistance?
	When you're busy, have you got to Get up early in the morning?
If you do what you ought not to, Do they give the usual warning?
	With a horse do they equip you?
Lots of trumpeting and drumming?
	Do the Royal tradesmen tip you?
Ain't the livery becoming!
	Does your human being inner Feed on everything that nice is?
Do they give you wine for dinner; Peaches, sugar-plums, and ices?

Both.

We shall both go on requesting
Till you tell us, never doubt it;
Everything is interesting,
Tell us, tell us all about it!

Chorus.

They will both go on requesting
Till you tell them, never doubt it;
Everything is interesting,
Tell us, tell us all about it!

Gianetta & Tessa.	Chorus.
We shall both go on requesting,	They'll go on requesting,
Till you tell us, never doubt it,	Till you tell them, never doubt it,
Ev'rything is interesting,	Ev'rything is interesting,
Tell us, tell us all about it!	Tell us, tell us all about it!
Ev'rything is interesting,	Ev'rything is interesting,
Tell us, tell us all about it!	Tell us, tell us all about it!
Tell us all,	Ev'rything is interesting,
Yes, all,	Ev'rything is interesting,
Yes, tell us, tell us,	Tell us, tell us all about it!
Tell us, tell us all, All about it!	Tell us, tell us all about it, Tell us, tell us all about it!

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