I was very shy once And I dared not take Anything of happiness For fear my heart should break. When the village lads came by At the dim of day, Once they whistled at the gate Soon they went away. And I never staked the cow When the moon was new, But I heard hushed whispers From the early dew. Now there are no whispers And I do not meet Jack or Allan any more In the dusky street. Only Madge goes by me With a conscious glance: In her breast I know she hides A memory from France. And Jenny never sees me When she steals by night To set a taper to the lad Who once could clasp so tight. Only I walk lonely The road I dared not take, And oh, the haunting whispers, And oh, the bitter ache! |