Madam Life's a piece in bloom

Madam Life's a piece in bloom
Death goes dogging everywhere:
She's the tenant of the room,
He's the ruffian on the stair.

You shall see her as a friend,
You shall bilk him once or twice;
But he'll trap you in the end,
And he'll stick you for her price.

With his kneebones at your chest,
And his knuckles in your throat,
You would reason -- plead -- protest!
Clutching at her petticoat;

But she's heard it all before,
Well she knows you've had your fun,
Gingerly she gains the door,
And your little job is done.

by William Ernest Henley (1849-1903) , no title, from Poems, published 1898

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive)

by Fritz Bennicke Hart (1874-1949) , "Madam Life's a piece in bloom", op. 16 (Seven songs) no. 6 (1913). [voice and piano]

Date added to the website: 2008-12-10.

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