They stood in the moonlight near by the gate,
“Goodbye, my darling, I know you'll wait."
She ceased her weeping and smiled through her tears,
saying," I've been true love through these long years."
For on tomorrow at the break of day,
he was to journey far far away.
He held her closer his promised bride,
and to her questions these words replied.
“I've loved you always, yes, I've been true,
My heart shall never be loveless for you.
O darling believe me, far over the sea,
through life or death, so faithful I'll be.“
One year passed by, he's coming home,
his pilgrimage over, no longer to roam.
And smiling, he thinks of her shining eyes,
shining with welcome, a glad surprise.
A dainty letter he takes from his breast,
to which his extended lips were pressed.
And reading once more by the warming light,
these words he had spoken to her that night.
“I've loved you always, yes, I've been true,
My heart shall never be loveless for you.
O darling believe me, far over the sea,
through life or death, so faithful I'll be.“
Once more he seeks the old garden gate,
but he arrives alas, alas it's too late.
The wedding is over, the knot is tied,
he finds his darling another's bride.
And later they found him there on the grass,
a pistol nearby tells what had passed.
A crumpled letter that explained the deed,
and in the pale moonlight these words did read.
“I've loved you always, yes, I've been true,
My heart shall never be loveless for you.
O darling believe me, far over the sea,
through life or death, so faithful I'll be.“