As I walked home on a summer's night
When stars in heaven were shining bright
Far away from the footlights' glare
Into the sweet and scented air
Of a quaint old Cornish town
Borne from afar on the gentle breeze
Joining the murmur of summer seas
Distant tones of an old world dance
Played by a village band perchance
On the calm air came floating down
I thought I could hear the curious tone
Of cornet, clarinet and big trombone
Fiddle, cello, big bass drum
Bassoon, flute and euphonium
Far away as in a trance
I heard the sound of the floral dance
And soon I heard all the bustling and prancing
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 a girl by the waist
And hurried her off with 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
Of the cornet, clarinet and big trombone
Fiddle, cello, big bass 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
That I could only stand and stare
For I had no maid 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 plain
With out-stretched hands I rushed along
And carried her into that merry throng
And fiddle and all went dancing down
We danced to the band with the curious tone
Of the cornet, clarinet and big trombone
Fiddle, cello, big bass drum
Bassoon, flute and euphonium
Each one making the most of his chance
All together in the floral dance
Dancing here, dancing there
Jigging, jogging, everywhere
Up and down and around the town
Hoorah, for the Cornish floral dance