Skip to content
1836–1911

WHEN A MERRY MAIDEN MARRIES.

William Schwenck Gilbert

When a merry maiden marries, Sorrow goes and pleasure tarries; Every sound becomes a song, All is right and nothing's wrong!

From to-day and ever after Let your tears be tears of laughter — Every sigh that finds a vent Be a sigh of sweet content!

When you marry merry maiden, Then the air with love is laden; Every flower is a rose, Every goose becomes a swan,

Every kind of trouble goes Where the last year's snows have gone! Sunlight takes the place of shade When you marry merry maid!

When a merry maiden marries Sorrow goes and pleasure tarries; Every sound becomes a song, All is right, and nothing's wrong.

Gnawing Care and aching Sorrow, Get ye gone until to-morrow; Jealousies in grim array, Ye are things of yesterday!

When you marry merry maiden, Then the air with joy is laden; All the corners of the earth Ring with music sweetly played,

Worry is melodious mirth. Grief is joy in masquerade; Sullen night is laughing day — All the year is merry May!

Cookies on Poetry Cove

We use cookies to remember your language preference and — only with your consent — to learn how Poetry Cove is used. You can change your mind any time.
WHEN A MERRY MAIDEN MARRIES. · William Schwenck Gilbert · Poetry Cove