Bombay

On a sunny summer's day, there was sailing from Bombay,
A big and stately troopship that was going through the spray
To mighty England many miles away.
A soldier gazed with pride, on his sweetheart by his side,
Said he "Goodbye, my treasure, I shall soon be on the tide,
And when I come back you shall be my bride"
But as she was uncertain of his love — with many sighs,
She murmur'd as the love-light came into her coal black eyes:

Will you come back to Bom-Bombay?
I'm grieving now you're leaving,
For a land so far away.
So sad and lonely I shall be
All the time that you're away
Tell me true — tell me, do,
Will you come back to Bom-Bombay?

He exclaimed "My sweetheart kind. though I'm leaving you behind
And may not see your face for years, you'll never, never find 
That you were out of sight and out of mind.
Though weary years may go, and between us oceans flow.
I'll prize you even more. for little girl I have you know
In the absence of my fond love will stronger grow."
She hung her head in silence— her poor heart began to beat 
And when she made him answer, it was only to repeat:

"I am thinking, love" said she "When you land across the sea,
Some other girl may come along and gain your sympathy, 
And then perhaps you'll be forgetting me
There are scores of girls divine in their silks and satins fine 
In the country you are going to, but sweetheart I opine,
No heart could ever beat for you like mine
The last "Good-bye" was said and as the vessel left the shore
She waved her handkerchief and cried in broken voice once more: