Isn't It A Pity

Isn't It A Pity
music by George Gershwin (left)
lyric by Ira Gershwin (right)

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!

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!"

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

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---
For you're more than pretty, and I have charm galore!

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?
But thank the Lord it's not too late!
Still, it's such a pity we never, never met before!

Love your funny smile, your twinkling eye.
That's very nice---for---so do I!
Isn't it a pity we never met before?

Put your hand in mine---a perfect fit!
We never knew---just think of it!
Isn't it a pity we never met before?

Imagine all the lonely years I'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!

He's the only man made life complete; my only love! My bittersweet!
Isn't it a pity we'll never meet again.
That there'd be an end I never feared, but with the dawn he disappeared---
Isn't it a pity we'll never meet again?

It's like the well-known operetta curtain:
Lovers are parted:
She is brokenhearted.
But I am certain fate won't be sending me a happy ending!
He's the only love I ever knew---and---funny thing---
He looked---like---you!
Isn't it a pity we'll never, never meet again?