It may not be lyrics
by Gilbert and Sullivan
[Intro, Lord Chancellor]
It may not be – for so the fates decide!
Learn thou that Phyllis is my promised bride
[Iolanthe]
Thy bride! No! No!
[Lord Chancellor]
It shall be so!
Those who would separate us woe betide!
[Verse, Iolanthe]
My doom thy lips have spoken –
I plead in vain!
[Fairies]
Forbear! Forbear!
[Iolanthe]
A vow already broken
I break again!
[Fairies]
Forbear! Forbear!
[Iolanthe]
For him – for her – for thee
I yield my life
Behold – it may not be!
I am thy wife
[Fairies]
Aiaiah! Aiaiah! Aiaiah!
Willaloo! Willaloo!
[Spoken, Lord Chancellor]
Iolanthe! thou livest?
[Sung, Iolanthe]
Aye! I live!
Now let me die!
[Verse, Fairy Queen]
Once again thy vows are broken:
Thou thyself thy doom hast spoken!
[Fairies]
Aiaiah! Aiaiah!
Aiaiah! Aiaiah!
Willahalah! Willaloo!
Willahalah! Willaloo!
[Fairy Queen]
Bow thy head to Destiny:
Death thy doom, and thou shalt die!
[Fairies]
Aiaiah! Aiaiah!
Aiaiah! Aiaiah!
Willahalah! Willaloo!
Willahalah! Willaloo!