[Verse:]
"Pearls mean tears" is a saying old
Years ago it was found I'm told
In a legend I'll disclose
Here's how the story goes
Once a maid on her wedding day
Lost her love who had sailed away
His ship returning home
Disappeared in the angry foam
Beside the sea she sat and cried
A most unhappy girl
And ev'ry tear that fell below
Became a precious pearl

[Refrain:]
Strings of teardrops
That you and I call pearls

Fell from the eyes of a beautiful bride
Who sat and cried by the seaside
And when a

Crown of silver
Replaced her golden curls

She had spent all her years shedding sad little tears
Just to make your string of pearls