After The Ball

Album: Favorites (1892)
Play Video
  • AFTER THE BALL

    A little maiden climbed an old mans knees

    Begged for a story: "Do uncle, please!

    Why are you single, why live alone?

    Have you no babies, have you no home?"

    "I had a sweetheart, years, years ago,

    Where she is now, pet, you will soon know;

    List to the story, Ill tell it all:

    I believed her faithless after the ball.

    Bright lights were flashing in the grand ballroom,

    Softly the music playing sweet tunes.

    There came my sweetheart, my love, my own,

    I wish some water; leave me alone.

    When I returned, dear, there stood a man

    Kissing my sweetheart as lovers can.

    Down fell the glass, pet, broken, thats all

    Just as my heart was after the ball.

    Long years have passed, child, I have never wed,

    True to my lost love though she is dead.

    She tried to tell me, tried to explain

    I would not listen, pleadings were vain.

    One day a letter came from that man;

    He was her brother, the letter ran.

    Thats why Im lonely, no home at all

    I broke her heart, pet, after the ball."

    Chorus:

    After the ball is over, after the break of morn,

    After the dancers' leaving, after the stars are gone,

    Many a heart is aching, if you could read them all Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 2

  • Jennifer from Nebraska, UsaWhen I was a kid, my grandma sang this chorus to my siblings and cousin to make us feel better. But I ended up doing the opposite and crying.
  • Anita from Maryland, UsaMy Mom sang the chorus to me and my sister
see more comments

Editor's Picks

James Williamson of Iggy & the Stooges

James Williamson of Iggy & the StoogesSongwriter Interviews

The Stooges guitarist (and producer of the Kill City album) talks about those early recordings and what really happened with David Bowie.

Roger McGuinn of The Byrds

Roger McGuinn of The ByrdsSongwriter Interviews

Roger reveals the songwriting formula Clive Davis told him, and if "Eight Miles High" is really about drugs.

Ian Gillan of Deep Purple

Ian Gillan of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan explains the "few red lights" in "Smoke On The Water" and talks about songs from their 2020 album Whoosh!

Gary Lewis

Gary LewisSongwriter Interviews

Gary Lewis and the Playboys had seven Top 10 hits despite competition from The Beatles. Gary talks about the hits, his famous father, and getting drafted.

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)Songwriter Interviews

The co-writer/guitarist on many Alice Cooper hits, Dick was also Lou Reed's axeman on the Rock n' Roll Animal album.

Little Richard

Little RichardFact or Fiction

Was Long Tall Sally a cross-dresser? Did he really set his piano on fire? See if you know the real stories about one of rock's greatest innovators.