intro : B

B B7
this , no song of ingenue
E D#
this , no ballad of innocence;
G#m E
this , the rhyme of a lady who
C#m F#
followed ever the natural bents .
B B7
this , a solo of sapience ,
E D#
this , a chantey of sophistry ,
G#m E
this , the sum of experiments ,
C#m F# B
i loved them until they loved me .
B7
i loved them until they loved me .
E D# G#m , E , C#m , F#
i loved them until they loved me .

B B7
decked in garments of sable hue ,
E D#
daubed with ashes of myriad lents ,
G#m E
wearing shower bouquets of rue ,
C#m F#
walk i ever in penitence .
B B7
oft i roam , as my heart repents ,
E D#
through god’s acre of memory ,
G#m E
marking stones , in my reverence ,
C#m F# B
i loved them until they loved me .
B7
i loved them until they loved me .
E D# G#m , E , C#m , F#
i loved them until they loved me .

D# G#m
pictures pass me in long review , – –
E F# B
marching columns of dead events .
D# G#m
i was tender , and , often , true;
C#m F#
ever a prey to coincidence .
B B7
always knew i the consequence;
E D#
always saw what the end would be .
G#m E
we’re as nature has made us – – hence
C#m F# B
i loved them until they loved me .
B7
i loved them until they loved me .
E D# G#m , E , C#m , F#
i loved them until they loved me .

B B7
princes , never i’d give offense ,
E D#
won’t you think of me tenderly?
G#m E
here’s my strength and my weakness , gents –
B B7
this , no song of ingenue
E D#
this , no ballad of innocence;
G#m E
this , the rhyme of a lady who