Willow, tit-willow

The Mikado von Arthur Sullivan


KO-KO
On a tree by a river a little tom-tit

Sang "Willow, titwillow, titwillow!"

And I said to him, "Dicky-bird, why do you sit

Singing Willow, titwillow, titwillow'?"

"Is it weakness of intellect, birdie?" I cried,

"Or a rather tough worm in your little inside?"

With a shake of his poor little head, he replied,

"Oh, willow, titwillow, titwillow!"



He slapped at his chest, as he sat on that bough,

Singing "Willow, titwillow, titwillow!"

And a cold perspiration bespangled his brow,

Oh, willow, titwillow, titwillow!

He sobbed and he sighed, and a gurgle he gave,

Then he plunged himself into the billowy wave,

And an echo arose from the suicide's grave —

"Oh, willow, titwillow, titwillow!"



Now I feel just as sure as I'm sure that my name

Isn't Willow, titwillow, titwillow,

That 'twas blighted affection that made him exclaim

"Oh, willow, titwillow, titwillow!"

And if you remain callous and obdurate, I

Shall perish as he did, and you will know why,

Though I probably shall not exclaim as I die,

"Oh, willow, titwillow, titwillow!"

During this song Katisha has been greatly affected, and at the end is almost in tears.