A little maiden climbed an old man's knee
Begged for a story: Do, uncle, please!
Why are you single? Why live alone?
Have you no babies? Have you no home?

I had a sweetheart, years, years ago
Where she is now, pet, you will soon know
List to the story, I'll tell it all
I believ'd her faithless, after the ball

After the ball is over
After the break of morn
After the dancers' leaving
After the stars are gone
Many a heart is aching
If you could read them all
Many the hopes that have vanished

After the ball
Bright lights were flashing in the grand ballroom
Softly the music playing sweet tunes
There came my sweetheart, my love, my own
I wish some water, leave me alone

When I returned, dear, there stood a man
Kissing my sweetheart, as lovers can
Down fell the glass, pet, broken, that's all
Just as my heart was, after the ball
Long years have passed, child, I've never wed
True to my lost love, though she is dead

She tried to tell me, tried to explain
I would not listen, pleadings were vain
One day a letter came from that man
He was her brother, the letter ran
That's why I'm lonely, no home at all
I broke her heart, pet, after the ball