The Floral Dance

As I walked home on a summer night

When stars in heaven were shining bright

Far away from the footlights' glare

Into that sweet and scented air

Of a quaint old Cornish town

Warmth from afar and a gentle breeze

Joining the murmur of summer seas

Distant tones of an old world dance

Played by the village band, perchance

On the cobb there came floating down

I thought I could hear the curious tone

Of the cornet, clarinet, and big trombone

Fiddle, cello, big bass drum

Bassoon, flute, and euphonium

Far away, as in a trance

I heard the sound of the floral dance

And soon I heard such a bustling and prancing

And then I saw the whole village was dancing

In and out of the houses they came

Old folk, young folk, all the same

In that quaint old Cornish town

Every boy took a girl on the waist

And carried her off in tremendous haste

Whether they knew one another I care not

Whether they cared at all I know not

But they kissed as they danced along

And there was the band with the curious tone

Of the cornet, clarinet, and big trombone

Fiddle, cello, big bass drum

Bassoon, flute, and euphonium

Each one making the most of his chance

All together in the floral dance

I felt so lonely standing there

And I could only stand and stare

For I had no maid with me

Lonely I should have to be

In that quaint old Cornish town

When suddenly hastening down the lane

A figure I knew I saw quite plain

With outstretched arms I rushed along

And carried her into that merry throng

While fiddle and all came dancin' down

We danced to the band with the curious tone

Of the cornet, clarinet, and big trombone

Fiddle, cello, big bass drum

Bassoon, flute, and euphonium

Each one making the most of his chance

All together in the floral dance

Dancing here, prancing there

Jiggin', joggin', everywhere

Up and down and 'round the town

Hooroar for the Cornish floral dance!