[Verse 1]
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, you will soon know
List to my story, I'll tell it all
I found 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

[Verse 2]
"Bright lights were flashing in the grand ballroom
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, dear, broken, that's all
Just as my heart was 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

[Verse 3]
"Long years have passed now, 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 ran
That's why I'm lonely, no home at all
I broke her heart, dear, 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
[Outro]
Many the hopes that have vanished
After the ball