American Old Time Song Lyrics: 38 After The Ball

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 38

AFTER THE BALL.
Copyright, 1892, by Chas. K. Harris & Co.

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.
List to the story, I'll tell it all:
I believed her faithless 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;
Many the hopes that have vanished after the ball.

Bright lights were flashing in the grand ball-room,
Softly the music, playing sweet tunes.
There came my sweetheart, my love, my own­"I wish some water; leave me alone."
When I returned, dear, there stood a man,
Kissing my sweetheart as lovers can.
Down fell the glass, pet, broken, that's all.
Just us my heart was after the ball.- Cho.

Long years have passed, child; I've never wed;
True to my lost love, though she is dead.
She tried to tell me, tried to explain;
I would not listen, pleadings were vain;
One day a letter came from that man-
He was her brother-the letter ran­That's why I'm lonely, no home at all;
I broke her heart, pet, after the ball.-Chorus.