I sat down in an empty seat close by the outside door,
And listened to such warbling as I never heard before.
Their voices drowned all sorrow and gushed forth many a tear,
Not for horror that I felt—it brought me real good cheer.
They drove away the pain of woe, that none but prisoners smart;
They sang the ever blessed song—true music of the heart.
We doff our striped caps to you, O girls of sweetest song,
And may we bid you be our friends and return again ere long.
Adieu, adieu, our lady friends, do not now say "farewell,"
Because we wish you all return with song too sweet to tell.