Way down in an Oriental town,
Once lived a maid of much renown
She had suitors galore
Old and young they came by the score
To win this Oriental maid.
When at her feet their hearts they laid,
She laughed and sent them away dismayed.
She couldn't love them all she said
And without love she'd never wed,
Nightly they chanted this lay.
CHORUS:
Oh! my Oriental Maiden,
You've stolen our hearts away,
When you wander in your garden,
You rival the flowers in May.
Why do you keep us all awaiting?
You know we're all longing for you
So hurry up and tell us, if you can,
Which one of us will be the happy man
Sentimental Oriental Maid.
Came a day when an Enemy Bold,
Stole the Maid, and so the story's told.
Ere the summer had fled,
Maid and Warrior they were wed,
And on her happy wedding day
Dimming all the love light in her eyes,
Trembled tears like diamonds in the skies.
She seemed to hear a dim refrain
Fading never to be heard again,
Softly the sound of this lay.