Note E1201

Three Little Maids of Naxos We

This is possibly Gilbert and Sullivan's most famous song: "Three Little Maids from School Are We". It comes from the Mikado. It also has a great tune. We always knew that it was going to be included. I remember someone suggesting it as 'Three Little Wives of Nick Are We", to star Marian, Primafloral and Gelis. This ideas was not taken up, because the levity seemed to work against the relationship between Nick and all his wives, and also because Gelis and Marian were to have their own songs.

But for the Naxettes it was perfect. Of course, the Naxettes play a relatively small role in the books; but they are extremely popular with the fans and also it was relatively easy to get cast members to volunteer the play them!

The Naxettes are far from Maids, and for a long time the song was entitled 'Three Former Maids of Naxos We'. However, trying singing 'Former Maids' and you'll find that it's neither easy to sing, or easily understandable. So it changed to 'Three Ex Maids' before finally reverting to 'Three Little Maids' on the grounds that this was well known and its very inaccuracy added to the song.

Three Little Maids of Naxos We		Three Little Maids from School Are We
Three little maids of Naxos ve Roaming around ze Aegean sea Since ve lost our virginiteeeee Three little maids are ve Everything is a source of fun Nobody's safe for ve care for none Life is a game zat ve all have won Three little maids are ve Three princesses not too wary Running our own sex seminary Taught Nick a lot cos we like to vary Three little maids are ve. Three little maids are ve! One little maid is the mum of a Queen Two little maids are so very keen Three little maids are quite obscene Three little maids are ve. Three little maids are ve! From three little maids take vun away Two little maids remain and they Never wait long for some 'wheyhey!' Three little maids are ve. Three little maids are ve! Three little maids who all vant men Ve all bedded Nick in a morning, Then Ve vorked our way through the Council of Ten Three little maids are ve Three little maids are ve.		Three Little Maids from school are we Pert as a school-girl well can be Filled to the brim with girlish glee Three little maids from school! Everything is a source of fun. Nobody's safe, for we care for none! Life is a joke that's just begun! Three little maids from school! Three little maids who, all unwary, Come from a ladies' seminary, Freed from its genius tutelary Three little maids from school! Three little maids from school! One little maid is a bride, Yum-Yum Two little maids in attendance come Three little maids is the total sum. Three little maids from school! Three little maids from school! From three little maids take one away. Two little maids remain, and they-- Won't have to wait very long, they say-- Three little maids from school! Three little maids from school! Three little maids who, all unwary, Come from a ladies' seminary, Freed from its genius tutelary-- Three little maids from school! Three little maids from school!

Updated 06 Jan 2002
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