Nevermind The Why And Wherefore

Gilbert And Sullivan

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 your tastes are mean and flighty

And your fortune poor and plain,

CAPT. and Ring the merry bells on board-ship,

SIR JOSEPH. 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--

JOS. For a gallant captain's daughter--

SIR JOSEPH. And a lord who rules the water--

JOS. (aside). 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 JOSEPH. Never mind the why and wherefore,

Love can level ranks, and therefore,

Though your nautical relation (alluding to Capt.)

In my set could scarcely pass--

Though you occupy a station

In the lower middle class--

CAPT. and Ring the merry bells on board-ship,

SIR JOSEPH. Rend the air with warbling wild,

For the union of my/your lordship

With a humble captain's child!

CAPT. For a humble captain's daughter--

JOS. For a gallant captain's daughter--

SIR JOSEPH. And a lord who rules the water--

JOS. (aside). 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!

JOS. Never mind the why and wherefore,