By the side of the Zuyder Zee

By the flowing Zuyder Zee so blue
There's a little Dutch girl I love so true
Of my little Gretchen dear, I'm dreaming all day
She's a picture any one would choose
In her pretty frock and wooden shoes
I've seen other girls, but still my heart is far away.

By the side of the Zuyder Zee, Zuyder Zee, Zuyder Zee
There my Deitcher girl waits for me - only me
I've seen diamonds in Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Amsterdam
But there's not a diamond as bright as those eyes by the Zuyder Zee.

I had such a feeling around my heart
When there came a time we had to part
From my little Gretchen I was sailing away
As we stood upon the old Dutch shore
In her eyes of blue, big tears I saw
Standing on the big ship I could hear the wild waves say.

Some day by the dear old Zuyder Zee
With my little Gretchen I shall be
In a cosy cot far from the big city's whirl
When the stars are peeping in the skies
We will sing old Dutch lullabies
How I long to sail back to my little Deitcher girl.