Gilbert & Sullivan Climbing Over Rocky Mountain
[GIRLS]
Climbing over rocky mountain,
Skipping rivulet and fountain,
Passing where the willows quiver
By the ever-rolling river,
Swollen with the summer rain;
Threading long and leafy mazes
Dotted with unnumbered daisies,
Scaling rough and rugged passes,
Climb the hardy little lasses,
Till the bright sea-shore they gain!
[EDITH]
Let us gaily tread the measure,
Make the most of fleeting leisure,
Hail it as a true ally,
Though it perish by-and-by.
[GIRLS]
Hail it as a true ally,
Though it perish by-and-by.
[EDITH]
Every moment brings a treasure
Of its own especial pleasure;
Though the moments quickly die,
Greet them gaily as they fly.
[KATE]
Far away from toil and care,
Reveling in fresh sea-air,
Here we live and reign alone
In a world that's all our own.
Here, in this our rocky den,
Far away from mortal men,
We'll be queens, and make decrees –
They may honor them who please.
[ALL]
Let us gaily tread the measure,
Make the most of fleeting leisure,
Hail it as a true ally,
Though it perish by-and-by.
[KATE, spoken]
What a picturesque spot! I wonder where we are!
[EDITH, spoken]
And I wonder where Papa is. We have left him ever so far behind.
[ISABEL, spoken]
Oh, he will be here presently! Remember poor Papa is not as young as we are, and we came over a rather difficult country.
[KATE, spoken]
But how thoroughly delightful it is to be so entirely alone! Why, in all probability we are the first human beings who ever set foot on this enchanting spot.
[ISABEL, spoken]
Except the mermaids – it's the very place for mermaids.
[KATE, spoken]
Who are only human beings down to the waist!
[EDITH, spoken]
And who can't be said strictly to set foot anywhere. Tails they may, but feet they cannot.
[KATE, spoken]
But what shall we do until Papa and the servants arrive with the luncheon?
[EDITH, spoken]
We are quite alone, and the sea is as smooth as glass. Suppose we take off our shoes and stockings and paddle?
[ALL, spoken]
Yes, yes! The very thing!