Why, my heart, do we love her so?
( Geraldine, Geraldine! ) —
Why does the great sea ebb and flow?
Why does the round world spin?
Geraldine, Geraldine,
Bid me my life renew,
What is it worth unless I win,
Love — love and you?
Why, my heart, when we speak her name
( Geraldine, Geraldine! ),
Throbs the word like a flinging flame?—
Why does the spring begin?
Geraldine, Geraldine,
Bid me indeed to be,
Open your heart and take us in,
Love — love and me.