[Verse:] "Pearls mean tears" is a saying old Years ago it was found I'm told In a legend I'll disclose Here's how the story goes Once a maid on her wedding day Lost her love who had sailed away His ship returning home Disappeared in the angry foam Beside the sea she sat and cried A most unhappy girl And ev'ry tear that fell below Became a precious pearl [Refrain:] Strings of teardrops That you and I call pearls Fell from the eyes of a beautiful bride Who sat and cried by the seaside And when a Crown of silver Replaced her golden curls She had spent all her years shedding sad little tears Just to make your string of pearls