I'm askin' you'll be easy for a bit, Sir, The lad's had little but a thrush's schoolin', The blue skies and the fields, the little whipster, 'Tis time enough for something more--(But whisper)...
White rose-leaves in my hands, I toss you all away; The winds shall blow you through the world To seek my wedding day. Or East you go, or West you go And fall on land or sea,...
My lilies are like nuns in white That guard me well all day, But the red, red rose that near them grows Is wiser far than they. Oh, red rose, wise rose, Keep my secret well;...
Will the garden never forget That it whispers over and over, "Where is your lover, Nanette? Where is your lover--your lover?" Oh, roses I helped to grow, Oh, lily and mignonette,...