(Verse)
[MICHAEL]
Why did I wander
Here and there and yonder
Wasting precious time
For no reason or rhyme?
Isn't it a pity?
Isn't it a crime?
My journey's ended
Everything is splendid
Meeting you today
Has given me a
Wonderful idea
Here I stay!

(Chorus)
[MICHAEL]
It's a funny thing
I look at you
I get a thrill
I never knew
Isn't it a pity we never met before?

Here we are at last
It's like a dream
The two of us
A perfect team
Isn't it a pity we never met before?
Imagine all the lonely years we've wasted
You with the neighbors
I at silly labors
What joys untasted!
You reading Heine
I somewhere in China

Happiest of men
I'm sure to be
If only you
Will say to me
"It's an awful pity we never ever met before!"

(Verse 2)
[ILSE]
While you were flitting
I was busy knitting

[MICHAEL]
How did you survive
Waiting till I'd arrive?

[ILSE]
All my Dresden boyfriends
Were only half alive
Sleepy was Hermann
Fritz was like a sermon
Hans was such a bore!
[MICHAEL]
How well I planned it

[ILSE]
I just couldn't stand it
Anymore

(Chorus 2)
[ILSE]
It's a funny thing
I look at you
I get a thrill
I never knew
Isn't it a pity we never met before?

Here we are at last
It's like a dream
The two of us
A perfect team

[MICHAEL]
For you're more than pretty, and I have charm galore!

[ILSE]
Imagine all the lonely years we've wasted
You up in Norway
I around my doorway
What joys untasted!
If you'd been handy
It'd have been just dandy
Isn't it a shame
We had to wait?

[MICHAEL]
But thank the Lord
It's not too late

[ILSE]
Still, it's such a pity we never never met before!

(Chorus 3)
[ILSE]
Love your funny smile
Your twinkling eye

[MICHAEL]
That's very nice
For so do I!

[MICHAEL AND ILSE]
Isn't it a pity we never met before?

[MICHAEL]
Put your hand in mine
A perfect fit

[ILSE]
We never knew

[MICHAEL AND ILSE]
Just think of it!
Isn't it a pity we never met before?

[MICHAEL]
Imagine all the lonely years I've wasted
Fishing for salmon
Losing at backgammon

[ILSE]
What joys untasted!
My nights were sour
Spent with Schopenhauer

[MICHAEL AND ILSE]
Let's forget the past
Let's both agree
That I'm for you
And you're for me
And it's such a pity we never ever met before!