A string of shiny days we had
A spotless sky, a yellow sun
And neither you nor I was sad
When that was through and done

But when, one day, a boy comes by
And pleads me with your happiest vow
"There was a lad I knew—" I'll sigh
"I do not know him now."

And when another girl shall pass
And speak a little name I said
Then you will say, "There was a lass
I wonder is she dead."

And each of us will sigh, and start
A-talking of a faded year
And lay a hand above a heart
And dry a pretty tear