ISN'T IT A PITY
George Gershwin (m) Ira Gershwin (l)  1932

as rec by Stacey Kent w David Newton (piano) & Simon Thorpe (bass)  June 2000 England

also rec by Ella Fitzgerald w Nelson Riddle & his Orch  '59


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

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 neighbours,
I at silly labours!
What joys untasted,
You readin Heine,
Me somewhere in China!

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!

Imagine all the lonely years we've wasted,
Fishing for salmon,
Losing at backgammon!
What joys untasted,
My nights were sour,
Spent with Schopenhauer!

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!






(Contributed by Peter Akers - November 2009)