A fortress, impregnable, you are my dear,
So pray don't forget when I draw into view
To spare me a glance. There is nothing to fear,
Yes, spare me one glance. There is no cause for fear.
I swear that your daring you never shall rue.

When men are in love we're demented, because
We sigh, cannot sleep, we count stars through the night.
If we two were neighbours, my house next to yours,
If we two were neighbours, my house next to yours,
I never would let you stray out of my sight.

Your image, your grace in the new moon I see.
You glide as you walk. No star is more fair.
Perhaps in your heart you are laughing at me,
Perhaps in your heart you are laughing at me.
Am I merely building a bridge out of air?

The secrets we guard from our friends, with good cause,
Will soon be revealed to the world's avid sight.
If we two were neighbours, my house next to yours,
If we two were neighbours, my house next to yours,
Your threshold I'd haunt, standing guard day and night.

1947