[Verse 1]
In the greenest of our valleys
By good angels tenanted
Once a fair and stately palace
Radiant palace reared its head
In the monarch thought's dominion
It stood there
Never seraph spread a pinion
Over fabric half so fair

[Chorus]
Banners yellow, glorious, golden
On its roof did float and flow
This, all this, was in the olden time long ago

[Verse 2]
And every gentle air that dallied
In that sweet day
Along the ramparts plumed and pallid
A winged odor went away
Wanderers in that happy valley
Through two luminous windows, saw
Spirits moving musically
To a lute’s well-tunèd law

[Chorus]
Round about a throne whеre, sitting
Porphyrogene
In statе his glory well befitting
The ruler of the realm was seen
[Verse 3]
And all with pearl and ruby glowing
Was the fair palace door
Through which came flowing, flowing, flowing
And sparkling evermore
A troop of echoes, whose sweet duty
Was but to sing
In voices of surpassing beauty
The wit and wisdom of their king

[Chorus]
But evil things, in robes of sorrow
Assailed the monarch’s high estate
Ah, let us mourn for never morrow
Shall dawn upon him, desolate!

[Verse 4]
And round about his home the glory
That blushed and bloomed
Is but a dim-remembered story
Of the old time entombed
And travellers, now, within that valley
Through the red-litten windows see
Vast forms that move fantastically
To a discordant melody
[Outro]
While, like a ghastly rapid river
Through the pale door
A hideous throng rushed out forever
And laugh, but smile never more