CHORUS AND SOLOS: Climbing over rocky mountain
GIRLS: Climbing over rocky mountain, 
Skipping rivulet and fountain, 
Passing where the willows quiver, 
Passing where the willows quiver 
By the ever-rolling river, 
Swollen with the summer rain, the summer rain 
Threading long and leafy mazes 
Dotted with unnumbered daisies, 
Dotted, dotted with unnumbered daisies, 
Scaling rough and rugged passes, 
Climb the hardy little lasses, 
Till the bright sea-shore they gain; 
Scaling rough and rugged passes, 
Climb the hardy little lasses, 
Till the bright sea-shore they gain!

EDITH: Let us gaily tread the measure, 
Make the most of fleeting leisure, 
Hail it as a true ally, 
Though it perish by-and-by.
GIRLS: Hail it as a true ally, 
Though it perish by-and-by.
EDITH: Every moment brings a treasure 
Of its own especial pleasure; 
Though the moments quickly die, 
Greet them gaily as they fly, 
Greet them gaily as they fly.
GIRLS: Though the moments quickly die, 
Greet them gaily as they fly.
KATE: Far away from toil and care, 
Revelling in fresh sea-air, 
Here we live and reign alone 
In a world that's all our own. 
Here, in this our rocky den, 
Far away from mortal men, 
We'll be queens, and make decrees-- 
They may honour them who please.
GIRLS: We'll be queens, and make decrees-- 
They may honour them who please.
Let us gaily tread the measure, etc.
KATE: What a picturesque spot! I wonder where we are!
EDITH: And I wonder where Papa is. We have left him 
ever so far behind.
ISABEL: Oh, he will be here presently! Remember poor 
Papa is not as young as we are, and we came over a 
rather difficult country.
KATE: But how thoroughly delightful it is to be so 
entirely alone! Why, in all probability we are the 
first human beings who ever set foot on this enchanting 
spot.
ISABEL: Except the mermaids-- it's the very place for 
mermaids.
KATE: Who are only human beings down to the waist--
EDITH: And who can't be said strictly to set foot 
anywhere. Tails they may, but feet they cannot.
KATE: But what shall we do until Papa and the servants 
arrive with the luncheon?
EDITH: We are quite alone, and the sea is as smooth as 
glass. Suppose we take off our shoes and stockings and 
paddle?
ALL: Yes, yes! The very thing! (They prepare to carry, 
out the suggestion. They have all taken off one shoe, 
when FREDERIC comes forward from cave.)