[Kathryn]

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.

Listen to the story,

I'll tell it all,

I believed 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!



Chorus]

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;



[Kathryn and Chorus]

Many the hopes that have vanished

After the ball.