Sweet Elaine, Oh, Sweet Elaine,

I see your glistening tears of pain,

All because your heart is broken;

Life’s vicissitudes betoken

Even love can be in vain.

Sweet Elaine, Oh, Sweet Elaine,

Someday you may smile again,

Overcome your cruel sorrow,

Hopefully before tomorrow,

When your loss becomes your gain.

Love may not mature and season,

Nor its purpose calculate

Certainly by any standard

While it willingly must wait,

As it counts upon the other

Freely to reciprocate.

Sweet Elaine, Oh,  Sweet Elaine,

‘T is not simple to explain

Away your trouble and your pain,

Knowing life provides the lesson,

One can love, but all in vain