"Mein Herr, Marquis" from Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss II

Accompanied by Althea Waites. Performed at Rolling Hills United Methodist Church on June 13, 2025

Synopsis: Adele, maid to the Eisensteins, attends a ball disguised as a famous actress. When Gabriel von Eisenstein, her boss, also arrives, he says she looks suspiciously like his maid, Adele. To cover the fact that he is correct, Adele sings this song (often called "Adele's Laughing Song") to tease him and make him so flustered he turns his attention elsewhere. She does this by making fun of him, pretending to be offended, and accusing him of being in love with his maid instead of his wife.


Translation:
My Lord, Marquis, a man like you should understand!
I advise you to take a closer look at people.
This hand is too fine, this little foot so delicate and small.
The language I use, the waist, the bustle…
You will never find equal beauty in a maid.
You must admit, you have made a very strange mistake.
Yes, the situation is very strange, so forgive me if I laugh, ha ha ha!

My Grecian profile is a gift from Nature.
If this face doesn’t say it, look at my figure!
Look through your eyeglass at this outfit I wear.
It seems to me that love makes your eyes cloudy;
The beautiful maid’s image has filled your heart!
Now you see her everywhere, what a funny situation.
So forgive me if I laugh, ha ha ha!