Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life

HR Red Slash
The Victor Herbert score for Naughty Marietta is universally accepted as his greatest, topped by the cascading duet "Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life." The song is used throughout the operetta as a romantic motif since the coquettish Marietta, unable to recall more than fragments of this mysterious "Dream Melody" (originally the alternate title), vows to give her heart only to the man who can complete it. No problem at all when it turns out to be dashing Captain Richard.


Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life

    AH! sweet mystery of life, at last I've found thee;
    Ah! I know at last the secret of it all;
    All the longing, striving, seeking, waiting, yearning,
    The burning hopes, the joys and idle tears that fall!

    For 'tis love, and love alone, the world is seeking;
    And it's love, and love alone, that can reply;
    'Tis the answer, ti's the end and all of living,
    For it is love alone that rules for aye!

    Rida Johnson Young