Sullivan: The Mikado / Act 2: 24. Here'S A How-De-Do!

Here's a how-de-do!
If I marry you
When your time has come to perish
Then the maiden whom you cherish
Must be slaughtered too!
Here's a how-de-do!
Here's a how-de-do!

Here's a pretty mess!
In a month or less
I must die without a wedding
Let the bitter tears I'm shedding
Witness my distress
Here's a pretty mess!
Here's a pretty mess!

Here's a state of things
To her life she clings!
Matrimonial devotion
Doesn't seem to suit her notion
Burial it brings!
Here's a state of things
Here's a state of things

With a passion that's intense
I (You) worship and adore
But the laws of common sense
We (You) oughtn't to ignore
If what he (I) says is true
'Tis death to marry you
Here's a pretty state of things
Here's a pretty how-de-do!
Here's a pretty state of things
A pretty state of things

Here's a how-de (here's a how-de) (here's a how-de) do
For if what he (I) says is true
I cannot, cannot marry you
Here's a pretty, pretty state of things
Here's a pretty how-de-do