She Waits in Xanadu

To the one that waits for me

In the palace on the plain

Marble gold and ivory

I send my fond refrain

To the one that waits for me

In the city, ‘mid the hills -

I must wander far from thee

Where e’er my master wills

You are all upon my mind

Constantly I think of you

In every place your face I find

For you dwell in Xanadu

I am my master’s raven

At the court of Kublai Khan

And you are but a maiden

But tell me, may I be your man

The palace of fair Xanadu

Marble gold and ivory

Soon I come there seeking you

I pray that you will greet me

I pray that we may meet again

Within the park at Xanadu

Where once we walked and kissed and then

I was borne away from you

You shall see my master ride

Just as you heard of Kublai Khan

Hawk and leopard by his side

And I, his loyal serving man

You and I will kiss again

I your humble serving man

All this shall pass, I promise, when

I return with Kublai Khan

The Khan will dwell upon the field

In a house of gilt bamboo

And my heart be soothed and healed

In the park at Xanadu

200 cords of silken rope

Hold it firm against the breeze

200 prayers I say in hope

That I may not you displease

Gilded dragons grasp each beam

And wrap their tails around its posts

To dwell at one with you, I dream

That I may leave the martial hosts

I would hold you as they do

And braid our lonely cords to rope

When we meet in Xanadu

Such is my fervent only hope

The fifth month brings me there to you

The ninth will drive the court away

May I stay in Xanadu?

Only Kublai Khan can say

If you want me for your man

Let us pray for our success

As l beg of Kublai Khan

That you may be my own empress

In the city ‘mid the hills

When my soul is wed to you

I’ll rest where e’er my lover wills

In the groves of Xanadu

To the one that waits for me

I send my heart so loyal, true

That mine forever she may be

And we shall dwell in Xanadu