American Old Time Song Lyrics: 36 The Secret Sweet

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 36

THE SECRET, SWEET.
Copyright, 1891, by Willis Woodward & Co.
Written and Composed by Hattie Marshall.

I have a little sweetheart fair, so tender and so true.
Her name is-ask the roses red, they know, and may tell you;
While walking 'mid the flowers one eve, my heart o'erflowed with love,
I whispered soft-ah, would you know? well, ask the stars above.
So pretty, sweet and pure was she, with ruffled golden hair,
I stooped and-no, I may not tell, it may not be quite fair;
The secret sweet is all my own, and if you want to know,
Why, ask the zephyrs, sighing soft, and they may whisper low;
The name that is so dear to me, perchance they'll even tell,
The something that I told my love down in that flowery dell.

I'm sure she loves me truly, for that night she coyly said,
Well, I know a daisy listened, for I saw it nod its head;
And, as I gazed into her eyes with love's pure flame aglow,
I asked her if she'd he suppose you ask the moon she'd know.
her answer came, my listening ear caught just one little word,
A nightingale burst forth in song, I knew he must have heard.
The secret sweet is all my own, and if you want to know.
Why, ask the zephyrs sighing soft, and they may whisper low;
The question that I asked my love, perchance they'll even tell.
The answer that she gave to me down in that flowery dell.

Perhaps I'll tell how her fair head was nestled on my breast,
Perhaps I'll tell how her sweet lips were to my own soft pressed;
But I'll not tell the reason why I took her little hand,
And a dainty, slender finger with a blade of grass I spanned;
Nor will I tell what joy'll be mine, all in the month of May,
The merry chimes will ring it then, come list to what they'll say.
The secret sweet is all my own, and if you want to know,
Why, ask the zephyrs sighing soft, and they may whisper low,
The happy day that's coming, for perchance they'll even tell
Just why I plucked that blade of grass down in that flowery dell.