Classic Poem

VERSE 1 HE :

Why did I wander
Here and there and yonder,
Wasting precious time
For no reason or rhyme?
Isn't it a pity?
Isn't it a crime?
My journey's ended;
Ev'rything is splendid.
Meeting you today
Has given me a
Wonderful idea;
Here I stay!

REFRAIN 1

It's a funny thing;
I look at you —
I get a thrill
I never knew;
Isn't it a pity
We never met before?
Here we are at last!
It's like a dream!
The two of us —
A perfect team!
Isn't it a pity
We never met before?
Imagine all the lonely years we've wasted:
You, with the neighbors —
I, at silly labors;
What joys untasted!
You, reading Heine,
I, somewhere in China.
Happiest of men
I'm sure to be
If only you
Will say to me,
" It's an awful pity,
We never, never met before! "

VERSE 2 SHE :

While you were flitting,
I was busy knitting. HE :
How did you survive
Waiting till I'd arrive? SHE :
All my Dresden boyfriends
Were only half-alive.
Sleepy was Hermann,
Fritz was like a sermon,
Hans was such a bore! HE :
How well I planned it! SHE :
I couldn't stand it
Anymore!

REFRAIN 2

It's a funny thing;
I look at you —
I get a thrill
I never knew;
Isn't it a pity
We never met before?
Here we are at last!
It's like a dream!
The two of us —
A perfect team — HE :
For you're more than pretty,
And I have charm galore! SHE :
Imagine all the lonely years we've wasted:
You, up in Norway —
I, around my doorway.
What joys untasted!
If you'd been handy,
'Twould have been just dandy!
Isn't it a shame
We had to wait? HE :
But thank the Lord
It's not too late! TOGETHER :
Still, it's such a pity
We never, never met before!

REFRAIN 3 SHE :

Love your funny smile,
Your twinkling eye. HE :
That's very nice —
For — so do I! TOGETHER :
Isn't it a pity
We never met before? HE :
Put your hand in mine —
A perfect fit!
We never knew —
Just think of it! TOGETHER :
Isn't it a pity
We never met before? HE :
Imagine all the lonely years I've wasted:
Fishing for salmon,
Losing at backgammon. SHE :
What joys untasted!
My nights were sour
Spent with Schopenhauer. TOGETHER :
Let's forget the past!
Let's both agree
That I'm for you
And you're for me —
And it's such a pity
We never, never met before!