Alone in the world was poor little Anne
As sweet a young child as you'd find
Her parents had gone to their final reward
Leavin' their baby behind
This poor little child was only nine years of age
When mother and dad went away
Still bravely worked at the one thing she knew
To earn her few pennies a day
She made artificial flowers, artificial flowers
Flowers for ladies of fashion to wear
She made artificial flowers
You know those artificial flowers
Fashioned from Annie's despair
With paper and shears, with some wire and wax
She made up each tulip and mum
As snowflakes drifted into her tenement room
Her baby little fingers grew numb
Refrain two
From makin' artificial flowers, artificial flowers
Flowers for ladies of high fashion to wear
She made artificial flowers, artificial flowers
Fashioned from Annie's despair
They found little Annie all covered in ice
Still clutchin' her poor frozen shears
Amidst all the blossoms she had fashioned by hand
And watered with all her young tears
There must be a heaven where little Annie can play
In heavenly gardens and bowers
And instead of a halo she'll wear 'round her head
A garland of genuine flowers
Refrain three
No more artificial flowers
Throw away those artificial flowers
Flowers for ladies of society to wear
Throw away those artificial flowers, those dumb-dumb flower
Fashioned from Annie's,
Fashioned from Annie's despair
Give her the real thing