A 1904 popular song
words by Arthur J. Lamb
music by Albert Von Tilzer
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by Fred Feild:
Lyrics
- A fair girl is kneeling at her mother’s side
On the morn of her wedding day
“I don’t love him mother, the man I’m to wed
My wedding dress please lay away
I hear the bells chiming and fashion’s elect
Have come for the wedding grand
But I can’t tell a lie at the altar today
For my heart must go with my hand”
Chorus
“Lay my wedding dress away
For I cannot wear it now
Gold and riches do not tempt me
I’ll not take the marriage vow
There is one who always loved me
And my heart is his today
So, until he comes to claim me
Lay my wedding dress away”
- The bridegroom has entered, surprised, he looks on
“I am waiting for you,” he cries
The old gray-haired mother takes the girl to her heart
“My child does not love you,” she sighs
The man’s face turns crimson, he says
“When she’s mine, you know she’ll have everything”
But the girl, with eyes flashing, turns on him with scorn
And replies, as she gives back he ring
Sung here by Vancha March: