Did I abuse her

Or show her disdain?

Why does she run from me?

If I should lose her

How shall I regain

The heart she has won from me?

Agony!

Beyond power of speech

When the one thing you want

Is the only thing out of your reach

High in her tower

She sits by the hour

Maintaining her hair

Blithe and becoming

And frequently humming

A lighthearted air:

Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah

Agony!

Far more painful than yours

When you know she would go with you

If there only were doors

Agony!

Oh, the torture they teach!

What's as intriguing

Or half so fatiguing

As what's out of reach?

Am I not sensitive, clever

Well-mannered, considerate

Passionate, charming

As kind as I'm handsome

And heir to a throne?

You are everything maidens could wish for!

Then why no?

Do I know?

The girl must be mad

You know nothing of madness

'Til you're climbing her hair

And you see her up there

As you're nearing her

All the while hearing her

"Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah"

Agony!

Misery!

Woe!

Though it's different for each

Always ten steps behind

Always ten feet below

And she's just out of reach

Agony

That can cut like a knife!

I must have her to wife