American Old Time Song Lyrics: 33 Once Upon A Time There Lived A Maiden

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 33

ONCE UPON A TIME THERE LIVED A MAIDEN.
Copyright, 1877, by Louis P. Goullaud.
Words by J. Cheever Goodwin. Music by Edward E. Rice.

Once upon a time there lived a maiden
In a little cottage by the sea;
Twining round about it, heavy laden,
Grew a honeysuckle fair to see;
And the maiden watched the blossoms dully,
Heard the bees about it as it grew;
Bent above it, singing ever gaily;
Every bud and every blossom knew
When the wind a leaf blew down
Came a sudden, dainty frown;
Jealous was the maid, I trow;
Greater love she did not know,
No! Greater love she did not know, know, know, know, know!

To the maiden came one day a lover,
Tall and brave and full of manly grace;
Whispering tender words he bent above her,
Stooped and kissed her sunny, smiling face;
Underneath the honeysuckle walked they,
But her eyes were cast demurely down;
Seeing not, as softly, sweetly talked they;
How its leaves were turning sere and brown,
Withered now its tendrils twine,
Bird and bee have left the rine;
Careless is the maid, I trow;
Greater love hath learned to know,
No! Greater love hath learned to know, know, know, know, know!