American Old Time Song Lyrics: 44 While The Dance Goes On

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 44

WHILE THE DANCE GOES ON.
Copyright, 1X94, by Chas. K. Harris.
Words and Music by Chas. K. Harris. Arranged by Jos. Clauder.

Amid the glare and the splendor, amid the pay and the bright,
Joyous and merry the dancers, no thoughts of sorrow to-night;
Softly the strains of the music play on all evening till dawn-
Happy are they, joyous and gay, while the dance goes on.
Yet there is one of the dancers, one with a beautiful face,
Laughing and chatting so gaily, dancing with such careless grace-
There is no firm band to guide her, no one to shield her from harm;
She is alone, husband at home, while the dance goes on.

Chorus.
While the music is playing in the grand ball-room,
While all hearts beat softly to the old sweet tune,
While the hours are passing, fleeting one by one-
No thought of the morrow, while the dance goes on.

"You will not go to the ball, love; stay with our baby to-night!"
Rang in the ears of this lady, whose sparkling eyes shone so bright;
What cares she for home and baby while she is queen of the ball?
husband and home, baby alone, while the dance goes on.
Only too soon is it over, home she approaches at last;
There at the door meets her husband, whose sad tears fall thick and fast;
Then not a word is there spoken, gently he leads his wife on-
There on its bed baby lies dead, while the dance goes on.-Chorus.