Leonard Bernstein
Life Is Happiness Indeed
[CANDIDE]
Life is happiness indeed
Mares to ride and books to read
Though of noble birth I'm not
I'm delighted with my lot
Though I've no distinctive features
And I've no official mother
I love all my fellow creatures
And the creatures love each other!
[MAXIMILIAN]
Life is absolute perfection
As is true of my complexion
Every time I look and see me
I'm reminded life is dreamy
Although I do get tired
Being endlessly admired
People will go on about me—
How could they go on without me?
If the talk at times is vicious
That's the price you pay when you're delicious
Life is pleasant, life is simple—
Oh my God, is that a pimple?
No, it's just the odd reflection—
Life and I are still perfection!
I am everything I need!
Life is happiness indeed!
[CUNEGONDE]
Life is happiness indeed
I have everything I need
I am rich and unattached
And my beauty is unmatched
With the rose my only rival
I admit to some frustration
What a pity its survival
Is of limited duration!
[PAQUETTE & CANDIDE]
Life is happiness indeed
[MAXIMILIAN]
Life is absolute perfection
As is true of my complexion
[CUNEGONDE & CANDIDE]
Horses to ride and books to read
[MAXIMILIAN]
Every time I look and see me
I'm reminded life is dreamy
[PAQUETTE & CANDIDE]
Though of noble birth we're not
We're delighted with our lot
[MAXIMILIAN]
Although I do get tired
Being endlessly admired
People will go on about me—
How could they go on without me?
[CUNEGONDE, PAQUETTE & CANDIDE]
We're innocent and unambitious
That's why life is so delicious
[MAXIMILIAN]
If the talk at times is vicious
That's the price you pay when you're delicious
[CUNEGONDE, PAQUETTE & CANDIDE]
We have everything we need
Life here is happiness indeed
[MAXIMILIAN]
Though it is a heavy duty
To protect my awesome beauty
I have almost no objection—
Life and I are still perfection!
[CANDIDE]
Life is indeed!
[PAQUETTE]
Life is indeed!
[CUNEGONDE]
Life is indeed!
[MAXIMILIAN]
I am everything I need
[CANDIDE, CUNEGONDE & PAQUETTE]
Sheer happiness indeed!
Sheer happiness indeed!
Sheer happiness indeed!
[MAXIMILIAN]
Life is happiness indeed!
Indeed! Indeed! Indeed!