A little maiden, climbs an old man's knee 
Begs for a story, do uncle please
Why are you lonely, why do you roam 
Have you no sweetheart, have you no home 
I had a sweetheart, long long ago 
Why we were not wed, you soon will know 
List'to my story, I'll tell it all 
I broke her heart then, after the ball 

After the ball is over, just at the break of dawn
After the dance is ended, and all the stars are gone 
Many's the heart that's aching, if you could reach them all 
Many's the fond hope that's vanished, after the ball

Low lights were shining, in the big ballroom 
Softly the organ was playing a tune 
There stood my sweetheart, my love, my own 
I wished some water, leaving the room 
When i returned there, there stood a man 
Kissing my sweetheart, as lovers can 
Down went the glass and broke in a fall 
Just like my heart was after the ball 

After the ball is over, just at the break of dawn
After the dance is ended, and all the stars are gone 
Many's the heart that's aching, if you could reach them all 
Many's the fond hope that's vanished, after the ball

Many years have gone by, i have not wed
Due to my first love, tough she is dead 
She tried to tell me, tried to explain 
I would not listen, pleading in vain 
One day a letter, came from this man 
He was her brother, the letter end 
That's why I'm lonely , no home at all 
I broke her heart then after the ball 

After the ball is over, just at the break of dawn
After the dance is ended, and all the stars are gone 
Many's the heart that's aching, if you could reach them all 
Many's the fond hope that's vanished, after the ball Many's the fond hope that's vanished, after the ball