The Floral Dance

As I walked home on a summer night
And the stars in heaven were shining bright
Far away from the footlight’s glare
Into the sweet and scented air
Of a quaint old Cornish town
Born from afar on a gentle breeze
Joining the murmur of summer sees
Distant tones of an old world dance
Played by the village band perchance
And the calm air came floating down
Thought I could hear the curious tone
Of a cornet, clarinet, and big trombone
Fiddle, cello, big base drum
Bassoon, flute, and euphonium
Far away as in a trance I heard the sound
Of a 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 the girl round the waist
And hurried 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
with the cornet, clarinet, and big trombone
Fiddle, cello, big base 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 boy 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 plane
With outstretched hands he came along
And carried me into that merry throng
And fiddle and all went dancing down
We danced to the band with the curious tone
With the cornet, clarinet, and big trombone
Fiddle, cello, big base drum
Bassoon, flute, and euphonium
Each one making the most of his chance
All together in the floral dance
Dancing here, prancing there
Jigging, jogging everywhere
Up and down and round the town
All together in the floral dance
All together in the floral dance!