maytime is a musical with music by sigmund romberg and lyrics and book by rida johnson young, and with additional lyrics by cyrus wood. the story is based on the 1913 german operetta "wie einst im mai" ("like once in may"), composed by walter kollo, with words by rudolf bernauer and rudolph schanzer. the story, set in new york, is told in episodes covering a long period, from 1840 to the 20th century. wealthy young ottillie is in love with dick, but they are kept apart by family and circumstance. years later, their descendants marry. "maytime" introduced songs such as "the road to paradise", "will you remember?" and "jump jim crow".