Oh let the night my blushes hide,
While thus my sighs reveal,
What modest love and maiden pride 
Forever would conceal.
Oh let the night my blushes hide,
While thus my sighs reveal,
What modest love and maiden pride 
Forever would conceal.
What can he mean, how can he bear, 
Thus falt'ring to delay;
How can his eyes, his eyes so much declare,
His tongue so little say, his tongue so little say?

Our parents old, --for so I guess,
His thoughtful mind alarm;
A thousand spectres of distress,--
The ruined crops and farm!
Our parents old, --for so I guess,
His thoughtful mind alarm;
A thousand spectres of distress,--
The ruined crops and farm!
But must we wait till age and care
Shall fix our wedding day;
How can his eyes so much declare,
His tongue so little say?

The times are hard,--an odious word,
I'm wearied with the sound,--
A cuckoo note, for ever heard 
Since first the sun went round,
The times are hard,--an odious word,
I'm wearied with the sound,--
A cuckoo note, for ever heard 
Since first the sun went round,
Well pleas'd a happier mind I bear,
A heart for ever gay;
How can his eyes so much declare,
His tongue so little say?

What recks it that the times are hard,
Try fortune, and be blest--
Set Hope still cheer and Honour guard,
And Love will do the rest.
What recks it that the times are hard,
Try fortune, and be blest--
Set Hope still cheer and Honour guard,
And Love will do the rest.
Far better load the heart with care,
Than waste it with delay;
How can his eyes so much declare,
His tongue so little say?