This is Wilson Vance and John Philip Sousa’s comic operetta The Smugglers, transcribed and edited by Arthur O’Dwyer (2025).
So far, this is just a transcription of the piano/vocal score (W. F. Shaw, 1881), scanned from the Library of Congress’s Dodrill collection (ML31.S67, box 7 folder 1). I lack a (public-domain) source for the book.
Many small corrections, especially to punctuation, have been made quietly. Larger corrections, issues, and notes are marked in the text like this, with further details in the mouseover text.
The typographical presentation is inspired by Asimov’s Annotated Gilbert & Sullivan (1988).
See also The Smugglers’ entry in Paul E. Bierley’s The Works of John Philip Sousa (1984); Chapters 4 and 5 of John Philip Sousa’s Marching Along (1928); and William K. Dolen’s extensive editorial notes titled “The Smugglers: John Philip Sousa’s Operetta for America.”
Book by Wilson J. Vance
Music by John Philip Sousa
First produced at Lincoln Hall in Washington on March 25, 1882
Scene—A mountain fastness of Spain. Rocks at back; glen; platform at back leading R. and L., masked by set rocks. Cave at 2 E. L. opening, masked by vines, etc. Rude benches, etc. Smugglers grouped about stage.
Chorus
Smugglers we! We carefully Parade ourselves where none may see. In mountain glade ’Neath low’ring shade We sing our trysting glee.
Men Brave are we with lonely wight; Girls Oh, how brave these cautious heroes! Men Quaking here in darksome night; Girls Of all foes they only fear us!
AllBrave are (we/they) with lonely wight, Quaking here in darksome night.
For smugglers we, etc.
Then loudly sing and bid the echoes wake Our trysting song, the while we take Our merry leave of cares and sorrow, free To sing and dance and laugh in jollity.
Recitative—Mateo and Tito
Mat. Silence! and to your stations hie; Our Queen herself is drawing nigh. Let due decorum rule the scene, Fit welcome for our much lov’d queen. Tito Make haste! prepare the royal way; The Queen will give us speech today. Something she has upon her mind, Something important, I’ll be bound! Both The Queen, the Queen! Our noble Queen.
Song—Tito
Her subjects true and loyal we; We humbly greet with bended knee. She comes in robes of awful state; With loving hearts we watch and wait. All The Queen, the Queen! Our noble Queen.
[Enter Queen.]
Song—Queen
Our faithful people! We salute thee, And beg thee know that in our bosom Is only thought and hope for thee And for thy welfare; For thee we wear the cares of state, And early rise and sit up late, And bear the royal burden.
Chorus Not often is a smuggling band So fortunate as to command Such zeal beyond all guerdon.
Queen Let silence be commanded— We make a proclamation!
Mat. & Tito Let silence reign While we proclaim Our noble Queen’s good pleasure! Mat. Hush! Tito Hush! Chorus Hush!
Queen Our subjects all, List to your Queen; We find it meet, And Queenly too, That we should take a husband—
Chorus [sensation] That she should take a husband!
Queen You need a king; The cares of state Too heavy are For woman weak. Then listen to our royal proclamation—
Chorus Then listen to the royal proclamation!
Queen [recit.] The Fates have writ, in signs mysterious, And three times have the cards confirmed it, The stranger who first falls a prey To this, our gallant band, Your Queen will wed! Chorus Enough! ’Tis said!
Mat. Our Queen would have a husband! Quite right! Tito Quite right! Chorus Quite right! Mat. And who so suited for her as I? Tito As I? Chorus As I? Mat. He must not be a stranger, oh, no! Tito Oh, no! Chorus Oh, no! Mat. Of that there’s little danger, oh, no! Tito Oh, no! Chorus Oh, no!
Mat. & Tito I quite agree, most noble Queen, That you should haste to marry. On bended knee your slave you see; I beg you will not tarry. Chorus We quite agree, most noble Queen, That you should haste to marry. On bended knee your slave you see; We beg you will not tarry.
Queen Two offers in a single breath? Indeed, ’tis lavish fortune. The memory will last till death Shall draw the sable curtain!
Mat. & Tito My fortune and my heart and all I have on earth I offer. To prove my love the stars I call; My all I freely proffer— My all I freely proffer! Queen Your fortunes and your hearts and all? Now that is what I handsome call! Mat. & Tito To prove my love, etc.
Queen You are too kind; I must decline; You really must excuse me!
[Dialogue omitted.]
Song—Queen
The widow’s life’s a lonely one, Poor weak defenceless creature; The saddest lot beneath the sun, With no redeeming feature. The widowed home, like a desert gray, Is monotonously doleful; No one to love the live-long day, When with love she’s heart and soul–full!
The morning breaks both bleak and cold; How sad she must deny her The lux‘ry of a loving scold As to who shall make the fire! She longs for a man who’ll be in the way And keep her tongue in practice; Who’ll swear at the cook, the milliner pay, And forget the water taxes.
When the widow thinks of the charms all gone, Of life and the joys which comprise it, She has no resource but to sit her down While her lovely eyes she cries out. No more for me this lonely life Of sorrows, sadness, danger; My hand I will bestow upon Some lucky handsome stranger!
[Dialogue omitted.]
[Enter Enrique, Mateo, and Tito.]
Recitative
Queen Who have we here?
Mat. A recruit, my Queen; a volunteer.
Queen A volunteer! Ah! that the cards had said “a volunteer”! [to Enrique] But who are you? What can you do?
Enr. Most gracious Queen, I have been wronged! Revenge I seek!
Tito Revenge he seeks!
Enr. And that I’ll have—and that I’ll have!
Song—Enrique
When the storms of life blow fierce and wild And the waves rise high to drag you down; When your heart is torn and your faith beguiled, And love sits cold which erewhile smiled, Take the pledge of Death and spurn The Fate would bid you turn.
For the world has nought, my comrade and my friend, That would weigh against a moment’s wrongful pain; ’Twere but vain to halt; quick, quick, go make an end! Be strong in hate kind Heav’n in mercy sends Ere the impulse fierce leaves you unnerv’d again.
Clasp your hands, my brave companions sworn; Come, let us join in a crusade against man; With Hate and Hell a league we’ll form— With Hate and Hell a league we’ll form!
[Dialogue omitted.]
Quintette—Queen, Violante, Enrique, Mateo, and Tito
Queen Ah, Love, kind Love! Some token waft to me that he is near. Ah! stars above, Bright twinkling merrily, lead him but here!
Mat. & Tito The cards have said To our chagrin That she’s to wed The first run in!
Ah, Love, kind Love! Some token waft to me That he is near!
Ah Love, kind Love! Some token waft to me That he’s not near!
Enr. A while ago, in the green-clad vale below, I saw a man who hid when I came near. Mat. & Tito Did you hear? ‘Twould appear he is near.
Enr. ’Twas but a short hour ago, in the green-clad vale below. All It was an hour ago, In the green-clad vale below, (I/He) saw a man who hid when he drew near.
Enr. Upon his back he had a queer- Shaped pack—a queer-shaped pack. All Upon his back He had a very queer-shaped pack, And must be now not very far from here.
Ah, Love, kind Love! I thank thee for this kind token you’ve wafted to me!
Violante
My love! oh! could you but see—!
It’s plain she’ll married be— But not to you nor me!
Enrique
My love! ah! did she but see—!
Oh, Love, kind Love! Oh, Love, kind Love! Some token waft to me When he is near— Some token waft to me, dear Love! Some token waft, dear Love!
A while ago, In the green vale below, I saw a man who hid When I drew near— Who hid as I drew near, dear love! Could you but see, dear love!
A while ago, In the green vale below, He saw a man who hid; When he drew near, he hid. It’s plain she’ll married be, But not to me!
[Dialogue omitted.]
Ballad—Violante
The maiden sat with folded hands; Her longing eyes brimmed o’er with tears. “He lingers long in distant lands, “And leaves me prey to anxious fears.”
“He thinks not of the maid he swore “To love through life—ah! falling tears!— “His gaily spoken farewell tore “The breast which held no jealous fears.”
“He loveth not,” she deeply sighed, “Though waiting here bemoans his bride!” In dreams by night she sees his face; By day she vainly seeks his grace.
He little cares how deep the smart His absence gives her loving heart. Sure he would come could he but see Her wail his absence hopelessly!
[Dialogue omitted.]
Enr. [recit.] ’Tis I, Enrique!
Duet—Enrique and Violante
Enr. Come to these arms that long to hold thee; Come to this heart; ’tis thine forever; Let me once more, dear love, enfold thee Close with a clasp, to leave thee never. Sad are the hours when we are parted, Darken’d the day when thou’rt not near; Ah, bitter my life half broken-hearted! Filled is my breast with gloom and fear!
Viol. Thus to thy arms, and ne’er to leave them; Thus to thy heart, my hav’n, my home. Look in my eyes, look and believe them; Do they not tell thee, dear love, I come? Gone is the night; swift comes the morning; Bright shines the sun; all cloudless the sky! Thus, heart to heart, all the world scorning, With love thus we’ll live—loving we’ll die.
Both Come to these arms, etc.
Enr. Come to my arms— Viol. Never to leave; Enr. Come to my heart— Viol. My hope and home; Both Look in my eyes, look and believe; Do they not tell thee, love, I come?
[Dialogue omitted.]
Song—Stubbs
I’ve leaped and I’ve climbed like a blawsted goat; I’ve worn out my shoes and I’ve ruined my coat; I’ve lost my way, likewise my breath; I’ve caught a cold, had a call from death. Oh, happy I’d be and think it a treat If this speculative journey was complete.
I’ve come here, you know, from the love of the arts— For some fine photographs of these wild foreign parts. And I fear my zeal has been misplaced In view of the many great dangers I’ve faced. And when I die they will serve me but ill If my fame does not this world, resounding, fill.
It always was so, I’m prepared to admit, As a fact that’s conceded, viz., namely, to wit, That such artistic genius as I hold in my breast Must endure hard raps—must be put to the test! But I cannot help saying, if permitted to speak, Though the soul is willing, still the flesh is weak.
I don’t like the people I find about here; They talk in a gibberish, damnably queer; And I think I can say with perfect good taste That the land about here is a sheer howling waste! Now what is the use of high hills like these, When, if they were flatter, they’d much better please; When they might be flat with just as much ease? Now what is the use of high hills like these, When, if they were flatter, they’d much better please?
[Dialogue omitted.]
Quintette—Violante, Queen, Mateo, Tito, Stubbs, and Chorus
Queen [recit.] It matters not; the Fates have spoken. My word is pledged; it can’t be broken!
Stubbs [recit.] You are too late; the priest has spoken. My word is pledged; it can’t be broken. I can’t be yours, by that same token; For I’m wearing now the matrimonial yoke!
Queen [recit.] He hesitates the step to take!
Mat. [to Stubbs] You seem to think it all a joke!
Stubbs I could understand the capture If I could feel the rapture Of believing that I really had won your bloomin’ heart; And I hope you do not really Think I am so awful veally As not to see how famously you’ve played your little part.
Chorus Rash stranger, Do not fly us! There’s danger If you try us! By sign and token The Fates have spoken; Our captain you must be!
Stubbs But I’m sure you will excuse me When I say your favor does me Altogether too much honor; I’m not quite equal to’t. I’m devoted to the artses, And am in these foreign partses Only as an ardent student; That is the way to view’t.
Chorus Rash stranger, etc.
In vain he struggles and would go; The Fates reply him always “no.” In vain he struggles and would go; The Fates reply him, And deny him, Answ’ring always “no”!
(You’ve/We’ve) treated (me/you) most kindly, Even offered to go blindly Into a speculation of a matrimonial sort, And to heighten the amusement Have offered as inducement To make (me/you) King and captain without a second thought!
Rash stranger, do not fly us! There’s danger if you try us! By sign and token The Fates have spoken; Our chief you must be!
Queen [recit.] The Fates have spoken By sign and token; Our King and captain you must be!
Recitative—Queen
’Tis writ in sign mysterious and strange, Foretelling sure the coming sudden change, That on this spot, among these crags and rocks, The chief a captive comes—he comes and knocks!
Stubbs, Mat., Tito ’Tis writ, etc.
Chorus We hail thee! We hail thee! We hail thee!
[Dialogue omitted.]
Recitative—Queen
Hold, my charming captive! Hold, my plighted husband!
[Dialogue omitted.]
Song—Mateo and Chorus
Mat. By a deed of bloody daring— Chorus By a deed of bloody daring!
A daring deed of blood before He’s fitted our brave band to lead The time delays, we’ll wait no more, Bring forth the bloody deed!
Ah! hear these ruffians sing of deeds of blood! Their awful deeds of blood, Their awful, fiery, untamed deeds of blood! Their daring desp’rate deeds of blood! Their deeds of blood!
Stubbs
The Fates mysterious have writ The mandate which I can’t ignore— That we together shall be knit, When I have done a damning deed of gore! A deed of gore!
Bring forth the fiery untamed deed of blood! Bring forth the deed of blood! Bring forth the deed of blood, The daring desp’rate deed of blood! The deed of blood!
Chorus
A deed of blood! A deed of blood! A daring desp’rate deed of blood! Bring forth the fiery untamed deed of blood! The damning, desp’rate deed of blood! The deed of blood!
[Dialogue omitted.]
Song—Queen, Tito, Mateo, and Chorus
Tito He is a spy! He is a spy! A traitor base and vile! His treach’rous eye On all things nigh Proclaims the traitor style! He wary glanced about the scene; He even watched our noble Queen. He will not come alone again. He is a sneaking spy!
Tenors Yes, yes!
Mat. & Basses No, no!
Tito & Tenors Yes, yes!
Mat. & Basses No, no!
Yes, yes, yes, yes! He is a spy! He is a spy! Then else why should he fly? Defend him not; he shall die!
No, no, no, no! He is no spy! He is no spy! There’s manhood in his eye! Here we swear he shall not die!
Mat. He is no spy! His manly eye Shows he’s no traitor vile! With courage high He’ll do and die If need should call the while! He boldly met each friendly glance; He took no note of circumstance. With us he takes an honest chance. He is no traitor spy!
Yes, yes!
No, no!
Queen If he’s no spy, why did he fly?
He is a spy!
He is no spy!
[Dialogue omitted.]
Finale—Act I
Queen Rouse thee, and put thine armor on! Wake thee, brave champion of my dreams! Fear thou no man of woman born! They prove them kings who die for queens!
Mat. What, though thou fallest ’neath mortal blow? Tito Thou’lt die in strife for noble prize! Queen Thy fame the world shall widely know! All The fame of him who manful dies!
Mat. Thy monument shall reach the stars; Tito And graven words shall tell the tale! Queen Ah, Heav’n shall hear my earnest prayers; All For ah! true courage cannot fail!
Mat., Tito, & Queen See his glance serene and bold; The eagle dares for spirit brave. He’ll conquer, or in Death’s pale fold We’ll wrap him in a warrior’s grave!
Stubbs How cheerfully they sing of death, The grave, and all that sort of thing; Of fame, and gore, and all that stuff Appropriate for smuggler king! But what, may I in candor ask, Care I for monument so high? In glory’s rays to breathless bask? I’ve really no desire to die!
Mat., Tito, & Queen Really—no desire to die? Chorus Really—no desire to die? Stubbs Really—no desire to die!
Go thou where glory waits for thee, While Fame expectantly sits nigh; Return, proud victor, back to me! Or on the field unyielding die.
You’re wrong, no glory waits for me. I’ve really no desire to die.
All Go where glory waits for thee! Stubbs To seek a monument of brass? All Fame expectantly sits nigh! Stubbs I’m really no such blooming ass!
Go thou where glory waits for thee, While Fame expectantly sits nigh; Return, proud victor, back to me! Or on the field unyielding die.
How cheerfully they sing of death, The grave, and all that sort of thing; Of fame, and gore, and all that stuff Appropriate for smuggler king!
All Go where glory waits, etc.
Scene—Same as Act I.
[As the curtain rises, Violante discovered.]
Duet—Violante and Mateo
Viol. How slowly fades the sun, The shadows creeping on; The breezes sighing die— The breezes sighing die! The night-bird’s lonely cry Rings plaintive through the valley, And laments the sinking sun!
Mat. Why dost thou weep, and ceaseless moan? In kindly sleep find once more thy home!
Viol. Alas, I’m sleepless!
Mat. Why, courage! Soon thy ransom comes.
I’m a captive here; I pine for liberty. My home, my much loved home, For thee I weep and moan! Ever for home am I sighing; I weep and wait while hope’s dying.
She’s a captive here, And pines for liberty. Her home, her dear, loved home, For that she weeps and moans! Filled are her days with sad sighing, Still in her dreams is she sighing— Weeps and waits while hope’s dying!
Viol. Yon brightly shining star Looks coldly on my woe And sends from there, afar, No cheering hope below.
Mat. Like wildwood bird restrained For liberty she cries, And beats her helpless wings, And beating, struggling, dies!
Viol. Ah, noble man, thy heart, I know, must feel for my distress!
Mat. I feel, sweet girl, thy sorrow.
Viol. I implore thee!
Mat. I can’t forget my duty.
Ah! but I kneel and implore thee! I weep, sure thou canst not refuse! Thy help Heav’n sure will restore thee; The good thou dost give cannot lose.
Ah, fain would I help, but my duty Stern warns me I must not hear thee! With pain I see thy sad beauty; Peace, maiden! Thou needst not fear me!
Both Yon brightly shining star Looks coldly on (my/her) woe And sends from there, afar, No cheering hope below.
Like wildwood bird restrained For liberty (I cry/she cries)— For liberty (I cry/she cries)!
[Dialogue omitted.]
Song—Tito
I’m a robber free and bold; At brag and bluster I yield the palm Unto no other, young or old, And yet do little harm— A robber’s life for me! The simple rustic open-mouth’d Gapes wide to hear my boasting tale. I fill him full of horrors loud; With fools I seldom fail. A timid girl is my delight; I fill her tim’rous heart with fears; I smile to see her trembling fright And foolish flowing tears!
Weak old women, too, I scare; With horrid oaths and wicked scowl, For there’s nothing I won’t dare To make a deep impression, Be it fair or foul! My carbine here I careless swing; With nonchalance I play my part; I drink and swear, carouse and sing, And boast with all my heart! That world’s to me a paradise Which takes me as I seem to be, While danger ne’er my courage tries— A robber’s life for me!
[Dialogue omitted.]
Trio—Violante, Queen, and Tito
Viol. Do you with your flocks and herds, In yon vale so bright and shining, While your gentle voice and words Love and faith and hope entwining, Fall not on the ear of her Who of you is ever dreaming; When you watch the evening star, Ah, do you think of me?
All In the valley where the river Shines and gleams its tortuous way, Gliding to the sea forever, And the clouds seem far away, Do you think of one who watches As the sun sinks in the west; Building in the golden patches Visions when with you she’ll rest?
Queen Yes, I’ll give my queenly word, And I’ll pledge my royal honor, That he hears in song of birds Only your voice softly calling! That he also has his visions When the west with gold is dress’d, Of a future bright elysian When you’re to his bosom press’d!
All In the valley, etc.
[Dialogue omitted.]
Song—Queen, Mateo, Stubbs, and Chorus
All We hail our new-found king! Loudly his praises sing; With his air so bold, Who need be told He’s our captain and our king?
Stubbs [dismally] With my air so bold, None need be told I’m their captain and their king!
Chorus Crown him king! We gladly sing And drive our fears away. The night is gone; Our hero’s come; Sing hail, the welcome day!
La la la, etc.
Stubbs You might think I am proud To have this high-toned crowd Before my hands and face, Award me so much praise In such high-sounding phrase— But of pride I really have no sign or trace!
Chorus Ha, ha, ha, ha!
Come crown him king, We gladly sing, And drive our fears away!
Don’t crown me king, Nor gladly sing To drive your fears away!
Queen [recit.] Since time whereof the memory of man Runneth not to the contrary, Our kings—our kings—our kings have worn this hat!
Stubbs [recit.] After only a cursory examination I am prepared to believe you.
Queen Beneath its shade our kings have sat, Since smuggling’s early morning; There’s virtue in that ancient hat, With royal air adorning!
Chorus Crown him! Crown him!
[The hat is placed on Stubbs’ head.]
Chorus Hail, hail, hail, to our new-found king! Hail! Hurrah for our new-found king! Loudly we his praises sing! With his air so bold, Who need be told He’s our captain and our king?
[Dialogue omitted.]
Duet—Queen and Stubbs
Queen When for love behold, I’m pleading, When for love I’m interceding, When my soft young heart is bleeding, Canst thou turn away?— Canst thou turn away? While with love’s sweet grief I’m sighing, Yes, with love’s deep wound I’m dying, Thou from love’s embrace art flying, Canst thou turn away? Ah!— turn away?
Oh, then, one word of love, One little word of love! One word to comfort me— But one word of love from thee!
Both Ah! that love should bring such madness; Ah! that love should give such sadness; What can prompt the merry lad thus? How can you forbear pursuit?
List, oh, listen to my wooing; Surely love is my undoing. How can I forbear pursuing? Idol of my soul— Idol of my soul!
List, oh, list, ere we are parted, Ere a wid’ning grief has started; List, oh, list, thou stony-hearted Idol of my soul!
I’m the one she calls her idol; Fain would lead me to the bridal Altar where though woe betide all, Oh, unhappy soul— Oh, unhappy soul!
In good sooth and in all candor, What can cause thy special wonder When there nothing is to hinder The idol of your soul?
Both Ah! of (my/your) soul!
[Dialogue omitted.]
Song—Mateo
Free hearts of Spain, free hearts of Spain, Hold the laws in proud disdain! They dare refuse allegiance— Decline obedience! The laws were made for trembling slave Whose soul is not his own! They were not made to fetter brave And fearless hearts of Spain!
Our foemen are the myrmidons Who would our hands restrain; They can’t affright determined ones— The fearless hearts of Spain!
We tribute take from weak and old, Provided we are safe; ’Tis then that we are brave and bold, The proud free hearts of Spain! ’Tis then that we are brave and bold, The proud free hearts of Spain!
[Dialogue omitted.]
Song—Queen, Mateo, Tito, and Chorus
Queen Wine! wine! red ripe wine! With life-light see it shine! We know that the daybreak Will bring a headache, But still we quaff the drink divine!
See how the color glows; It bids begone our woes! The nectar divine, Dear solace of mine, Bright red, bright ruby wine!
All Wine! wine! wine! wine! Queen Drink of the nectar divine! All Wine! wine! wine! wine! Queen Bright red, bright ruby wine!
All Wine! wine! red ripe wine! With life-light, etc.
Chorus Wine! Bright ruby wine! Wine! Bright ruby wine! Wine! Ruby wine! Ruby wine! Red wine!
[Dialogue omitted.]
Duet—Violante and Enrique
Enr. Sighing, ah, sighing! sighing and weeping! Wringing her hands from morning till eve; Heart beating lowly, faintly, and keeping Cadence and measure, hopeless she grieves! Lo! in the valley her lover is arming; Lo! on his steed is mounting him swift! Waiting, not he, for laggard day’s dawning; Stars light his way through cloud’s parting rift!
Viol. Sighing, ah, sighing! sighing and moaning! Wringing my hands from morning till eve! Ah! the sad heartbeats faintly intoning, Cadence and measure keep thus while I grieve!
Enr. Challenge and answer sternly declaring! Viol. Danger nor death restrains his strong arm! Both Love is his shield and love is his daring; Safe on his breast she’s resting from harm!
[Dialogue omitted.]
Chorus
Let us march along As with cheering song Of a soldier’s life we tell; And with steady step And form erect We will keep our lines dressed well! While the trumpet loud sounds the stern alarm, And the drums with their thunder roar, Then we take no thought of fear or harm, For glory goes before!
Capt. For the soldier’s life is a merry one, So happy and careless and free; Today he may look his last on the sun; Tomorrow his last may be!
All For he cares for naught but duty’s urgent call; Though the end may come by either sword or ball, Should he die, he prays with honor he may fall! Though Death may take him, glory goes before!
Let us march along, etc.
[Dialogue omitted.]
Recitative
Tito ’Tis as I said!
Mat. It cannot be!
Tito The maid has fled!
Mat. It cannot be!
Tito ’Tis as I said: the maid has fled! To arms! to arms! to arms! To arms! to arms! to arms! Sound the alarm—the maiden has escaped!
[Business, under music.]
Queen This tumult cease; let search be made!
[More business.]
Capt. In the name of the king, I command you, surrender!
Queen Bravo, my brave defenders; [to Soldiers] ’Tis thus that we surrender!
Cut and thrust! We’ll die like men, if die we must! Cut and thrust! And saber-stroke and bay’net thrust! Rings the bugle note! Sings the bugle note! We’ll die like men, if die we must!
In the Holy Virgin trust! In the Holy Virgin trust!
Men Hark! the warning bugle note is sounding, Ringing through the battle’s smoke and din; Clash of thrust and clang of stroke resounding Cheers us on. While life remains, we’ll ne’er give in! Cut and thrust, cut and thrust! Cut and thrust, cut and thrust!
[Fighting, under music, while the women and old men look on.]
Onlookers Holy Mother, hear our prayer! Nerve their hearts; their dear lives spare! Weeping women can but pray; Heav’n will guide the bloody fray.
Men Cut and thrust! We’ll die like men, etc.
Cut and thrust! Cut and thrust! Cut and thrust! Cut and thrust! We’ll die like men, if die we must!
Nerve their hearts! Nerve their hearts! Nerve their hearts! Nerve their hearts! Their dear lives spare, oh, spare!
[Dialogue omitted.]
Finale
All As (we/they) march along, With a cheering song, Of a soldier’s life (we’ll/they’ll) tell; And with steady step And form erect (We/They) will keep (our/their) lines dressed well. While the trumpet loud sounds the stern alarm, And the drums with their thunder roar, Then (we/they) take no thought of fear or harm, For glory goes before!
As (we/they) march along, And with cheering song Of a soldier’s life (we/they) tell; And with steady step And form erect (We/They) keep (our/their) lines dressed well!