American Old Time Song Lyrics: 28 Her Tears Drifted Out With The Tide

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 28

HER TEARS DRIFTED OUT WITH THE TIDE.
Copyright, 1890, by Willis Woodward & Co.
Words and Music by Paul Dresser.

A maiden stood at the water's edge and kissed her hand "good-bye"
To a lad who sailed toward the sinking sun in the Western sky;
She sobbed and she cried in wild despair, "Oh, cruel waves of the sea!
If you have one spark of feeling left, bring back my love to me!"
The waves seemed to lull at the maiden's feet, and they seemed to sing a song:
"Weep not, fair one, for all is well, we will bring him back ere long!"
The maiden stood on the sea-beat shore on that cold, dismal day,
And thought of her love, her life, her soul, who soon would be far away;
Her heart went out in a silent prayer for her sailor true and tried;
With head bow'd low the sweet soul wept, and her tears drifted out with the tide.

The ship sailed on ere the hour was gone, the storm-king raged in glee,
And sank the proudest ship that floats to the bottom of the sea;
The sailor lad clung to a spar, and the waves they washed ashore
A lad into his sweetheart's arms to rest forevermore;
The maiden bathed his head with her tears 'till his eyes were opened wide­"He lives, my sailor boy, he lives!" and her tears went out with the tide.
The maiden stood on the sea-beat shore on that cold, dismal day,
And thought of her love, her life, her soul, who soon would have been far away.
Her heart went out in a silent prayer for her sailor true and tried;
With head bow 'd low the sweet soul wept, and her tears drifted out with the tide.