Galuppi Baldessare Lyrics

Oh, Galuppi Baldassare, though I never knew your name
It's thanks to Mr. Browning you are with us just the same
Thanks to Mr. Browning, blowing on the flame
Well here you come with your old music, and here's all the good it brings
You say they lived like this in Venice, when the merchants were the kings
And though I never left old Boston, still you showed me everything
Did the young folks take their pleasure? Was the ocean warm in May?
Did the parties start at midnight, did they roll until midday?
And did the ladies bloom like bellflowers, every time you'd start to play?
Well, I bet that they all loved you, I bet they stood around and cheered
Saying, "That's what I call music, good for joy and good for tears.
Now let's stop all this talking, and let it fill our ears?
Well, the minor third's so bitter, the six chord like a sigh
Suspension, solution, asking must we die, must we die, must we die?
And the seventh says, "Well fellas, life might not last, but we can try"
So were you happy? I was happy. You still happy? Yes, and you?
Then more kisses! Why'd we stop them, when a million seemed so few?
There's something in that music, lord it must be answered to
Then they left you for their fortunes, in due time one by one
Some had lives that came to nothing, some went and did things they'd better not have done
And then death stepped up and took 'em where they'll never see the sun
Oh, but you, you ghostly cricket, singing where the house has burned
"Dust and ashes, dead and done with, Venice spent what Venice earned"
But what's left behind I wonder, when the kissing has adjourned?
?Dust and ashes?, so you tell me, and I cannot say you're wrong
Still those dear dead dancing ladies with their hair so soft and long
Stir a little in their slumber, every time we play your song
'Cause the minor third's still bitter, the six chord makes us sigh
Suspension, solution, asking must we die, must we also die?
And the seventh still says, "Well, life might not last, but we can try"
OUTRO: C C/B Am F
Galuppi Baldassare
Galuppi Baldassare
Galuppi, oh Galuppi