Frederick Loewe
The Simple Joys of Maidenhood
St. Genevieve, St. Genevieve
It's Guenevere!
Remember me?
St. Genevieve, St. Genevieve
I'm over here
Beneath this tree
You know how faithful and devout I am
You must admit I've always been a lamb
But Genevieve, St. Genevieve--
I won't obey you anymore
You've gone a bit too far!
I won't be bid and bargained for
Like beads at a bazaar
St. Genevieve, I've run away
Eluded them and fled
And from now on, I intend to pray
To someone else instead!
Oh Genevieve, St. Genevieve
Where were you when my youth was sold?
Dear Genevieve, sweet Genevieve
Shan't I be young before I'm old?
Where are the simple joys of maidenhood?
Where are all those adoring, daring boys?
Where's the youth pining so for me
He leaps to death in woe for me?
Oh, where are a maiden's simple joys?
Shan't I have the normal life a maiden should?
Shall I never be rescued in the wood?
Shall two knights never tilt for me
And let their blood be spilt for me?
Oh, where are the simple joys of maidenhood?
Shall I not be on a pedestal
Worshipped and competed for?
Not be carried off, or better still
Cause a little war?
Where are the simple joys of maidenhood?
Are those dear gentle pleasures gone for good?
Shall a feud not begin for me?
Shall kith not kill their kin for me?
Oh, where are the trivial joys
Harmless convivial joys
Where are the simple joys of maidenhood?