Seek the lays of the lively from others, not me,
Let my song be a sad one to-night.
Leave, leave me, fair lady, to cherish my gloom
In a corner far far from the throng;
Let me carry some chair to the end of the room
And retreat from the dance and the song,
Let me hide my depression and veil my despair
From the crowd of the brilliant and bright;
Or in case you insist upon hearing an air,
Let my song be a sad one to-night.