The Bartered Bride

Music by Smetana
English Version by Donald Pippin

English text examples:
Act I opening chorus

Come along, the mood is merry; See the budding peach and cherry. Love that hovers in the air Beckons to the young and fair. Season full of hope and rapture, Youth and beauty in their glory, Days of bliss beyond recapture! Time unfolds a darker story. Trials, troubles Hurdles lie ahead. Love begins to flicker; Bored wives boss and bicker; Husbands turn to liquor. Watch out! Now's the time, sweet lads and lasses! Live your life before it passes. Breathe the magic in the air, Summoning the young and fair. Now's the time, sweet lads and lasses, Green and tender, young and fair. Live your life before it passes, Breathe the magic in the air.

Kezal, a marriage broker, is urging a young man onto the parents Marenka, our heroine.

KEZAL A man of substance and solid merit! A farm of fifty fertile acres he'll inherit. Serene and sunny, He's lots of money And charm to spare. Sweet as candy, mild as bread and water, Made in heaven for your lovely daughter, He's the answer to a mother's prayer. A prize example, A peerless model, He doesn't gamble, stay up late, or hit the bottle. His form, perfection; His clear complexion Beyond compare. Man of vigor, strong and sturdy, Over twenty, under thirty. Disposition sweet and pleasant, Not a yokel, not a peasant; Seldom rough and never rowdy; Says "Hello" instead of "Howdy". Not a loner, not a hermit -- Ask a neighbour to confirm it. Keeps the closet neat and tidy; Mass on Sunday, fish on Friday. Gentle as a lamb or kitten; Warmer than a woollen mitten. Knows and does his duty; Never morose or moody; He's a father's pride and joy. Firm and resolute, bountiful to boot. But deep inside, a starry-eyed and simple boy. THE PARENTS We're impressed by your approval, So sincere and on the level. Clearly, he's the one We would hope to call a son.

Chorus of country folk at the conclusion of act 1:

To your feet, you sturdy folk! A perky beat begins the polka. After labors, time for leisure; Come, good neighbours, cut the measure. Merry makers here outnumber Those who choose to snooze and slumber. Who can sit and twiddle thumbs To the fiddle and the drums? After labors, Come, good neighbors! You that toil and till the land, Take your partner by the hand. Hearts enkindle, spirits rally; Song and sunlight fill the valley. Body heat and beat combine, Sending shivers down the spine. Hearts enkindle, spirits rally; Song and sunlight fill the valley.

List of Donald Pippin's English Versions
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English text examples: Act I opening chorus
Come along, the mood is merry; See the budding peach and cherry. Love that hovers in the air Beckons to the young and fair. Season full of hope and rapture, Youth and beauty in their glory, Days of bliss beyond recapture! Time unfolds a darker story. Trials, troubles Hurdles lie ahead. Love begins to flicker; Bored wives boss and bicker; Husbands turn to liquor. Watch out! Now's the time, sweet lads and lasses! Live your life before it passes. Breathe the magic in the air, Summoning the young and fair. Now's the time, sweet lads and lasses, Green and tender, young and fair. Live your life before it passes, Breathe the magic in the air.
Kezal, a marriage broker, is urging a young man onto the parents Marenka, our heroine.
KEZAL A man of substance and solid merit! A farm of fifty fertile acres he'll inherit. Serene and sunny, He's lots of money And charm to spare. Sweet as candy, mild as bread and water, Made in heaven for your lovely daughter, He's the answer to a mother's prayer. A prize example, A peerless model, He doesn't gamble, stay up late, or hit the bottle. His form, perfection; His clear complexion Beyond compare. Man of vigor, strong and sturdy, Over twenty, under thirty. Disposition sweet and pleasant, Not a yokel, not a peasant; Seldom rough and never rowdy; Says "Hello" instead of "Howdy". Not a loner, not a hermit -- Ask a neighbour to confirm it. Keeps the closet neat and tidy; Mass on Sunday, fish on Friday. Gentle as a lamb or kitten; Warmer than a woollen mitten. Knows and does his duty; Never morose or moody; He's a father's pride and joy. Firm and resolute, bountiful to boot. But deep inside, a starry-eyed and simple boy. THE PARENTS We're impressed by your approval, So sincere and on the level. Clearly, he's the one We would hope to call a son.
Chorus of country folk at the conclusion of act 1:
To your feet, you sturdy folk! A perky beat begins the polka. After labors, time for leisure; Come, good neighbours, cut the measure. Merry makers here outnumber Those who choose to snooze and slumber. Who can sit and twiddle thumbs To the fiddle and the drums? After labors, Come, good neighbors! You that toil and till the land, Take your partner by the hand. Hearts enkindle, spirits rally; Song and sunlight fill the valley. Body heat and beat combine, Sending shivers down the spine. Hearts enkindle, spirits rally; Song and sunlight fill the valley.