Sweet Elsie

I never dare to enter

Her flower garden gay,

But ev'ry morn have sent her

Across the hedge "Good day!"

I call from distance sadly:

"Sweet Elsie!"

She hears and listens gladly;

"Sweet Elsie,"

She lifts her neck so graceful

To see;

And nods and laughs to me.

One day the gate just oping

I slipped inside, I own.

My heart was fearing, hoping!

I found her all alone:

"With questions I would task thee,

Sweet Elsie!

And mighty favours ask thee,

Sweet Elsie!"

She lifts her neck so graceful

To see:

"My father waits for me."

And as I wandered yearning

From villagewards that day

I pass'd in my returning

Her flower garden gay.

And there was slowly roving

Sweet Elsie,

Beside a man so loving,

Sweet Elsie!

She bends her neck so graceful,

O see!

To him and not to me.