A 1898 song of verve from the comic opera “The Jolly Musketeer”.
Words by Stanislaus Stange.
Music by Julian Edwards.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. Man loves alas for a day
Woos, wins, then rides far away
Love of his life’s but a part
Nor lives it long in his heart
To all maids in turn he’ll declare
”Forever, forever I swear
I love you my darling
My own dearest dear”
Forever to him means some part of a year
Ah, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha …
Refrain:
Love for an hour, love for a day
Love and a flow’r wither away
The hearts of all men are like unto these
They love where they can
And whenever they please
Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!
‘Tis Better to be a bachelor maiden
Heart whole and free
Better be happy and free, and free
2. Men wed alas it is true
When they have naught else to do
Wed, when all pleasure and fun
Youth’s joys and follies are done
His wife then will hear him declare
“Forever, forever I’ll swear
That you are my first love
And life of my life
I never knew love till I met you, dear wife”
Ah, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha …
Sung here by Fred Feild: