by George Cooper (1840 - 1927)
Mr. and Mrs. Brown
Language: English
Mrs. Brown So Mister Brown you've come at last, I'm sure it's after two. Mr. Brown Dear Mistress Brown, your clock is fast, I know as well as you. Mrs. Brown Oh! Sir, its shameful so it is, Don't come sir in my sight! Mr. Brown Now give me one good kiss to night, You see that I'm all right. Mrs. Brown I cannot talk to you to night, I see that you're not right. Oh! Harry Brown! Oh! Harry Brown! You're any thing but right! Mr. Brown Now give me one good kiss to night, You see that I'm all right. Oh! Mary Brown! O! Mary Brown! You know that I'm all right. She: All right! you good for nothing you, Have I not eyes to see? He: No Madam, what I say is true, I'm only on a spree! She: Don't make me angry, Mr. Brown, For if you do I'll cry! He: I shall not stay to see you frown, So Mrs. Brown, good bye. He: I shall not stay to see you frown, Both: So, Mrs. Brown, good bye. She: I'll make you stay to see me frown, You shall not say good bye. He: O! Mary Brown, O! Mary Brown, Both: I'll have to say good bye. She: O! Harry Brown, O! Harry Brown, You see you've made me cry! She (furiously) Hard hearted man, I tell you what, I must know where you've been; I am not jealous, Oh! no! no! But its a shame and sin! Your bosom friend, young Jones, just left, He calls here every night, I'm sure if it were not for him I'd surely die with fright. She: I'm sure if it were not for him, Both: I'd really die with fright. He: What Ma'am, if it were not for him, You say you'd die with fright! He: O! Mary Brown, O! Mary Brown Both: I'll call him out to fight! She: O! Harry Brown, O! Harry Brown, He's far above your height. He (indignantly) So, Mr. Jones was here, you say While I have been away! Now Madam you will drive me mad, We part this very day. You know it is my business ma'am That keeps me at the store, And if I could have sooner come (hic) I'd been here (hic) long before. He: You know it is my business ma’am, Both: That keeps me at the store. She: I know it’s not your business, sir, That keeps you at the store. He: O! Mary Brown, O! Mary Brown, Both: It's business at the store. She: O! Harry Brown, O! Harry Brown, You've told me that before. She (coaxingly) There, dont be angry, husband, don't! I'm sure I love you dear. I was but joking when I said That odious Jones was here. But promise me, now wont you love, That when the night has come You'll never stay away so late, And leave your wife at home. She: Now promise me when night has come, Both: You'll always stay at home. He: I'll promise you when night has come I'll always stay at home. He: O! Mary Brown, O! Mary Brown, Both: I'll always stay at home. She: O! Harry Brown, O! Harry Brown, Now wont you stay at home. He (lovingly) You were but joking, dearest wife? Now come and kiss me, do, Jones is a bosom friend to me, (seriously) But needn't be to you. My little wife! my joy and life! My gentle pretty elf, If any one sits up with you Hereafter, it's myself. He: If any one sits up with you, Both: Hereafter, it's myself. She: If anyone sits up with me. O, let it be yourself. He: O! Mary Brown, O! Mary Brown, Both: Our quarrels they are o'er. She: O! Harry Brown, O! Harry Brown, We'll never quarrel more.
Authorship:
- by George Cooper (1840 - 1927) [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Stephen Collins Foster (1826 - 1864), "Mr. and Mrs. Brown", published 1864. [vocal duet with piano] [text verified 1 time]
Researcher for this page: Laura Prichard [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2015-12-25
Line count: 140
Word count: 676