Major-Genral: Sighing softly to the river,
Comes the loving breeze;
Setting nature all a quiver,
Rustling thro' the trees-
Pirates & Police: Thro' the trees.
Major-Genral: And the brook, with rippling measure
Laughs for very love,
While the poplars, in their pleasure,
Wave their arms above.
Pirates & Police: Yes, the trees for very love,
Wave their leafy arms above.
All: River, river, little river,
May thy loving prosper ever,
Heaven speed thee poplar tree,
May thy wooing happy be,
Heaven speed thee poplar tress,
May thy wooing happy be!
Major-General: Yet, the breeze is but a rover;
When he wings a way!
Brook and poplar mourn a lover!
Sighing, "Well a day!"
Pirates & Police: "Well a day!"
Major-General: Ah, the doing and undoing
That the rogue could tell;
When the breeze is out a wooing,
Who can woo so well?
Pirates & Police: Shocking tales the rogue could tell,
Nobody can woo so well.
All: Pretty brook, thy dream is over,
For thy love is but a rover;
Sad the lot of poplar trees,
Courted by a fickle breeze,
Sad the lot of poplar trees,
Courted by a fickle breeze!