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

I 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!