A trembling girl stood list'ning to the words her lover said, She heard her father's voice ring stern and clear:– "Not you, a common toiler, but a man of wealth she'll wed,– He pointed to a stranger drawing near.
The youth cried, "Here, beside me, Stands one whose choice shall guide me!" With flashing eyes, the faithful girl replied: "No gold can ever tempt me, Jack, to sacrifice your love!" The youth then press'd her to his heart and cried:
She is mine to have and to hold! She has chosen between love and gold! All the joys love can give Shall be hers, while I live, For she's mine to have and to hold!
An old man's fortune, shatter'd thro' the rival's scheme 'twas done. "Your daughter's hand," he cried, "Can save your name!" The father sobs, "My darling, if you fail me now, there's none To shield my old grey head from grief and shame."
The girl stands pale and sobbing, A step sets her heart throbbing, Then Jack's voice cried, "She'll stand by you thro' life! She'll give all fortune gave me, but she cannot give her hand, For years, in secret, we've been man and wife.
She is mine to have and to hold! She has chosen between love and gold! All the joys love can give Shall be hers, while I live, For she's mine to have and to hold!