SHE MAY HAVE SEEN BETTER DAYS
(James Thornton - 1894)


George J. Gaskin - 1896
Paul Whiteman & His Orch. - 1937

Also recorded by: 
Beatrice Kay; Danny Moss; George Jessel; 
Johnny O'Tolle & His Naughty Band.





While strolling along with the city's vast throng
On a night that was bitterly cold
I noticed a crowd who were laughing aloud
At something they chanced to behold

I stopped for to see what the object could be
And there on a doorstep lay 
A woman in tears from the crowd's angry jeers
And then I heard somebody say

She may have seen better days when she was in her prime
She may have seen better days once upon a time
Though by the wayside she fell, she may yet mend her ways
Some poor old mother is waiting for her who has seen better days

If we could tell why the poor creature fell
Perhaps we'd not be so severe
If the truth were but known on this outcast alone 
Maybe we would all shed a tear

She was once someone's joy, cast aside like a toy
Abandoned, forsaken, unknown
Every man standing by had a tear in his eye
For some had a daughter at home

She may have seen better days when she was in her prime
She may have seen better days once upon a time
Though by the wayside she fell, she may yet mend her ways
Some poor old mother is waiting for her who has seen better days

The crowd went away, but I longer did stay
For from her I was loath to depart 
I knew by her moan, as she sat there alone 
That something was breaking her heart

She told me her life, she was once a good wife 
Respected and honoured by all
Her husband had fled ere tney were long wed
And tears down her cheeks sadly fell

She may have seen better days when she was in her prime
She may have seen better days once upon a time
Though by the wayside she fell, she may yet mend her ways
Some poor old mother is waiting for her who has seen better days


(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - May 2009)