After the Ball
[Chorus]
G C D
After the ball is over, after the break of dawn,
G
After the dancers' leaviing, after the stars are gone;
C G E A
Many a heart is aching, if you could read them all;
D G A D G
Many the hopes that have vanished after the ball.
[Verse 1]
G D7
A little maiden climbed an old man's knee,
G
Begged for a story, "Do Uncle, please.
Dm Em
Why are you single; why live alone?
C G A D G
Have you no babies; have you no home?"
Em B C G
"I had a sweetheart years, years ago;
C G A D
Where she is now, pet, you will soon know.
G B Em
List to the story, I'll tell it all,
C G A D G
I believed her faithless after the ball."
[Chorus]
G C D
After the ball is over, after the break of dawn,
G
After the dancers' leaviing, after the stars are gone;
C G E A
Many a heart is aching, if you could read them all;
D G A D G
Many the hopes that have vanished after the ball.
[Verse 2]
G D7
Bright lights were flashing in the grand ballroom,
G
Softly the music, playing sweet tunes.
Dm Em
There came my sweetheart, my love, my own;
C G A D G
"I wish some water, leave me alone."
Em B C G
When I returned, dear, there stood a man,
C G A D
Kissing my sweetheart, as lovers can;
G B Em
Down fell the glass, pet, broken, that's all;
C G A D G
Just as my heart was after the ball
[Chorus]
G C D
After the ball is over, after the break of dawn,
G
After the dancers' leaviing, after the stars are gone;
C G E A
Many a heart is aching, if you could read them all;
D G A D G
Many the hopes that have vanished after the ball.
[Verse 3]
G D7
Long years have passed, child, I've never wed;
G
True to my lost love, though she is dead.
Dm Em
She tried to tell me, tried to explain;
C G A D G
I would not listen, pleadings were vain.
Em B C G
One day a letter came from that man
C G A D
He was her brother, the letter ran.
G B Em
That's why I'm lonely, no home at all;
C G A D G
I broke her heart, pet, after the ball
[Chorus]
G C D
After the ball is over, after the break of dawn,
G
After the dancers' leaviing, after the stars are gone;
C G E A
Many a heart is aching, if you could read them all;
D G A D G
Many the hopes that have vanished after the ball.