overture
Simon Lee Lyrics


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This trophy from our saviours, from our saviours from the enslaving force of Rome!

With feasting and dancing and song, tonight in celebration,
We greet the victorious throng, returned to bring salvation!

The trumpets of Carthage resound! Hear, Romans, now and tremble!
Hark to our step on the ground!
Hear the drums, Hannibal comes!

Sad to return to find the land we love, threatened once more by Roma's far-reaching grasp

No no no no!
Senor if you please! Rome
Me say Rome
Roma? Rome, Rome is very hard
Well once again from "Sad to return" (very very hard)
Please (Rome) senor

Sad to return to find the land we love, threatened once more by Rome's far-reaching grasp

Tomorrow we shall brighten the chimes of Rome, til I rejoice your army has come home

Bid welcome to Hannibal's guests, the elephants of Carthage!
As guides on our conquering quests, Dido sends Hannibal's friends!

Once more to the ? arms ?
Once more to the sweetness of charms
My heart ?

The trumpeting elephants sound, hear, Romans, now and tremble!
Hark to their step on the ground, hear the drums! Hannibal comes!

Thanks ? all again
Thank you very much
You were very good this man is near marvelous thank you
This way gentlemen this way
Rehearsals, as you see, are under way, for a new production of
Chalumeau's 'Hannibal'.
Ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen please, ladies and g'
Madam Giry? Thank you
May I have your attention please
As you may know for some weeks there have been rumours of my
Imminent retirement.
I can now tell you that these were all true,
And it is now my pleasure to introduce you to you the two gentlemen who now own the Opera Populaire,
M. Richard Firmin and M. Gilles Andre.

Gentlemen, Signora Carlitta Guidicelli,
Our leading soprano for 19 seasons now.
Of course of course I've experienced all your greatest roles in your
Damn Signor Ubaldo Piangi.
An honor, Signor.
If I remember rightly Alyssa has a rather fine aria
In act III of Hannibal I wonder Alyssa as a personal favor
If you would oblige us with a private rendition
And of course if monsieur Reyer objects
Now if my manager commands
Monsieur Reyer, ? commands
Will two bars will quite sufficient




Two bars will be sufficient
Senora

Overall Meaning

The first verse of Simon Lee's song Overture references the triumph of Hannibal over Rome during the Punic Wars, specifically the Battle of Zama. The song describes a celebration in Carthage, marking the liberation of the Carthaginians from the oppressive force of Rome. The lyrics convey a victorious and celebratory tone with feasting, dancing, and song. The trumpets of Carthage are heard, signifying their success over Rome. The second verse describes Hannibal's return to his homeland after the war, and the disappointment of discovering that Rome's influence is still a threat. However, the chorus repeats the celebratory tone of the first verse, with soldiers welcoming the elephants of Carthage as guides on their "conquering quests."


Line by Line Meaning

This trophy from our saviours, from our saviours from the enslaving force of Rome!
We celebrate our victory over Rome and our liberation from its enslaving force.


With feasting and dancing and song, tonight in celebration, We greet the victorious throng, returned to bring salvation!
We celebrate and welcome the victorious soldiers who have returned to save us.


The trumpets of Carthage resound! Hear, Romans, now and tremble! Hark to our step on the ground!
We march with confidence and strength, causing fear to the Romans.


Hear the drums, Hannibal comes!
Hannibal is approaching with his army.


Sad to return to find the land we love, threatened once more by Roma's far-reaching grasp
We are distressed to see that Rome is still trying to dominate and take over our beloved land.


No no no no! Senor if you please! Rome Me say Rome Roma? Rome, Rome is very hard Well once again from "Sad to return" (very very hard) Please (Rome) senor
We are frustrated by the mention of Rome and its attempts to invade us.


Tomorrow we shall brighten the chimes of Rome, til I rejoice your army has come home
We plan to make Rome pay and suffer until our victorious army returns safely.


Bid welcome to Hannibal's guests, the elephants of Carthage! As guides on our conquering quests, Dido sends Hannibal's friends!
The elephants of Carthage are welcomed as Hannibal's allies in our conquest.


Once more to the ? arms ? Once more to the sweetness of charms My heart ?
We long to return to the embrace of our loved ones and the joy of our peaceful lives.


The trumpeting elephants sound, hear, Romans, now and tremble! Hark to their step on the ground, hear the drums! Hannibal comes!
The elephants and soldiers march with power and strength, causing fear and trembling among the Romans.


Thanks ? all again Thank you very much You were very good this man is near marvelous thank you
The performers and crew are thanked for their hard work and great performance.


This way gentlemen this way Rehearsals, as you see, are under way, for a new production of Chalumeau's 'Hannibal'. Ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen please, ladies and g' Madam Giry? Thank you May I have your attention please As you may know for some weeks there have been rumours of my Imminent retirement. I can now tell you that these were all true, And it is now my pleasure to introduce you to you the two gentlemen who now own the Opera Populaire, M. Richard Firmin and M. Gilles Andre.
The scene shifts to a rehearsal of an opera based on Hannibal. The manager announces his retirement and introduces the new owners of the opera house.


Gentlemen, Signora Carlitta Guidicelli, Our leading soprano for 19 seasons now. Of course of course I've experienced all your greatest roles in your Damn Signor Ubaldo Piangi. An honor, Signor. If I remember rightly Alyssa has a rather fine aria In act III of Hannibal I wonder Alyssa as a personal favor If you would oblige us with a private rendition And of course if monsieur Reyer objects Now if my manager commands Monsieur Reyer, ? commands Will two bars will quite sufficient Two bars will be sufficient Senora
More details are given about the opera, and the manager requests a private performance from one of the actors, which is accepted.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RICHARD SHERMAN, RICHARD M. SHERMAN, ROBERT SHERMAN, ROBERT B. SHERMAN

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