219. Speak Low (1943)

Lyrics by Ogden Nash
Music by Kurt Weill

Speak low
When you speak love
Our summer day
Withers away
Too soon, too soon

Speak low
When you speak love
Our moment is swift
Like ships adrift
We’re swept apart
Too soon

Speak low
Darling speak low
Love is a spark
Lost in the dark
Too soon, too soon

I feel
Wherever I go
That tomorrow is near
Tomorrow is here
Always too soon

(rhythm change)

Time is so old
And love so brief
Love is pure gold
And time a thief

(original rhythm)

We’re late
Darling, we’re late
The curtain descends
Everything ends
Too soon, too soon

I wait
Darling, I wait
Will you speak low to me
Speak love to me and soon

(bridge, rhythm change)

Time is so old
And love so brief
Love is pure gold
And time a thief

(original rhythm)

We’re late
Darling, we’re late
The curtain descends
Everything ends
Too soon, too soon

I wait
Darling, I wait
Will you speak low to me
Speak love to me and soon
Speak low

From the show One Touch of Venus with Mary Martin and Kenny Baker