Kurt Weill
The Princess of Pure Delight
[LIZA]
The Prince in Orange and the Prince in Blue
And the Prince whose raiment was of lavender hue
They sighed and they suffered and they tossed at night
For the neighboring Princess of Pure Delight
(spoken)
Who was secretly in love with a minstrel
(sung)
Her father, the King, didn't know which to choose
There were two charming suitors he'd have to refuse
So hе called for the dean of his sorcеrers and
Inquired which one was to win her hand
(spoken)
Which they always did in those days
(sung)
My King, here's a riddle you test them tonight
"What word in five letters is never spelled right?
What word of five letters is always spelled wrong?"
The one who can answer will be wedded ere long
(spoken)
That will be twenty guilden, please
(sung)
The King called the three and he tole them the test
And while his fair daughter kept beating her breast
He put them the riddle. They failed, as he feared
(spoken)
Then all of a sudden the minstrel appeared!
Quite out of breath
"I'll answer that riddle," cried the singer of song
"What's never spelled 'right' in five letters is 'wrong'
And it's right to spell 'wrong' w-r-o-n-g
(sung)
Your Highness, the Princess belongeth to me
(spoken)
And I love her, anyway"
(sung)
"Be off with you, villain," the King cried in rage
"For my Princess a Prince not a man from the stage"
"But, sire," said the minstrel, "'tis love makes me say
No King who's a real King treats lovers this way
(spoken)
It isn't sporting!
(sung)
And if you're no real King, no Princess is she
And if she's no Princess then she can wed me"
"By gad" cried his Highness, "You handsome young knave
I fear me you're right" and his blessing he gave
(spoken)
As the trumpeter began to trumpet
(sung)
The Princess soon quickly came out of her swoon
And she looked at her swain and her world was in tune
And the castle soon rang with cheer and with laughter
And of course they lived happily ever after
(spoken)
Maggie, where are the proofs?
Alison, where's your column?
Johnson, where's your layout?
What's the matter with you?
What's the matter with everybody?
[CHARLEY, spoken]
Why, don't you know what day this is, Boss Lady?
This is your wedding day!
Your wedding day
Your wedding day
[LIZA, spoken]
Maggie! Alison! Speak to me! What is this?
[MAGGIE & ALISON]
It's late, Liza. It's late. You must hurry. This is your wedding day.
[RANDY & ENSEMBLE]
This is new
I was merely existing
What a lovely day for a lovely wedding
This is new
And I'm living at last
What a lucky man to win himself such a bride
Head to toe
You've got me so I'm spellbound
To the gates of Paradise both are heading
I don't know
If I am heaven- or hell-bound
With love and loyalty acting as their guide
[CHARLEY]
It's never too late to Mendelssohn
Two hearts are at Journey's Endelssohn
What e'er their future they must share it
I trust they Lohengrin and bear it
(spoken)
If there be any who know why these two should not be joined in holy wedlock, let him speak now or forever hold his peace.
[SEPULCHRAL VOICE]
The murmurings of conscience do increase
And conscience can no longer hold its peace
This is no part of heaven's marriage plan
This woman knows she does not love this man
[ENSEMBLE]
This woman knows she does not love this man
[LIZA, spoken]
No, no! No, no! No, no! That isn't true!
I do! I do! I do! I do!
[All simultaneous until the end]
[MEN I]
This is new
And I'm merely existing
This is new
And I'm living at last, and I'm living at last
And I'm living at last, and I'm living at last
[WOMEN]
What a lovely day for a lovely wedding!
What a lovely day for a lovely wedding!
Ah!
[CHARLEY]
It's never too late to Mendelssohn
Two hearts are at Journey's Endelssohn
What e'er their future they must share it
I trust they Lohengrin and bear it
[CHILDREN]
The Prince in Orange and the Prince in Blue
And the Prince whose raiment was of lavender hue
They sighed and they suffered and they tossed at night
For the neighboring Princess of Pure Delight
[MEN II]
This is no part of heaven's marriage plan
This woman knows she does not love this man
This woman knows she does not love this man