ruddigore 42 I once was Despard & Margret

DUET. ñ DESPARD AND MARGARET.
DES.I once was a very abandoned person ñ
MAR.Making the most of evil chances.
DES.Nobody could conceive a worse 'un ñ
MAR.Even in all the old romances.
DES.I blush for my wild extravagances,
But be so kind
To bear in mind,
MAR.We were the victims of circumstances!(Dance.)
That is one of our blameless dances.
MAR.I was once an exceedingly odd young lady ñ
DES.Suffering much from spleen and vapours.
MAR.Clergymen thought my conduct shady ñ
DES.She didn't spend much upon linen-drapers.
MAR.It certainly entertained the gapers.
My ways were strange
Beyond all range ñ
DES.Paragraphs got into all the papers.(Dance.)
We only cut respectable capers.
DES.I've given up all my wild proceedings.
MAR.My taste for a wandering life is waning.
DES.Now I'm a dab at penny readings.
MAR.They are not remarkably entertaining.
DES.A moderate livelihood we're gaining.
MAR.In fact we rule
A National School.
DES.The duties are dull, but I'm not complaining. (Dance.)
This sort of thing takes a deal of training!

[@GeishaShattori]

I've just seen Vincent Price dance a minuet. I can now die happy.

[@villainp8843]

My opinion, the best his dance was with Gene Tierney in Dragonwyck 🥰 😍

[@orphyborphy]

Definitely the cutest G & S couple, I think.

[@LeonoraBassisty104]

I think they are on par with King Paramount and Lady Sophy

[@joeyfitz9]

This is my favorite video on the internet.

[@verdew8181]

Love it, love it, and love it!!!

[@draganatanasov2503]

Wonderful piece, I just can't understand why in a professional production they couldn't have made sure that they are not rushing ahead of the music so much.

[@wickedfeylady]

LOL they are so funny here!

[@anniespencer7879]

Ann Howard is the best Margaret I've seen to date.

[@kennethwayne6857]

She is lovely, I've seen her at the Met many years ago in 'Peter Grimes'. The Margaret I love however is Jean Allister on John Reed's recording.

[@franzlisztish]

BRILLIANT!

[@changingego]

You can buy the operetta on DVD

[@marimiller3489]

I've never heard this, but had to look it up as it was mentioned in a pivotal point in Harper Lee's "Go Set a Watchman" sequel/prequel to "To Kill a Mockingbird."

[@wickedfeylady]

Thank you ;)

[@CountofBeretania]

Former emos:

[@changingego]

Right you are dear Pippi !

[@operettas_are_lovely]

What recording is this from?

[@aputridpileofb-movies6542]

Is it just me or do they seem bored? I mean the characters, I feel like this song is about them admitting that their change has made them boring to themselves.

[@joeyfitz9]

"The duties are dull but I'm not complaining"

[@aburninglandfillofbadmovie2930]

@@joeyfitz9 I'm not sure they HATE it, but I do think that they find it 'boring yet necessary' to act the way they do. I'm the same person you replied to, my old account (ppobm) is dead.

[@HlootooThunderhammer]

I think that's part of the joke. Their words are joyful and celebratory, but their manner of speaking and moving are utterly restrained and bored.