Once there was an honest man
Fallen in love with a bonnie maid
He spread gold and flowers in her hair
A painted veil, she's a painted veil

He walks in her steps, spies on her dreams
Builds a gilded cage
He's crazy in love with a stranger
This is a fancy in a mirror

He adores her, she's a bird in a cage
And years have gone in despair, his love is vain
Because he's a blind man, he don't know her name
Falling in love with a shadow, a painted veil, a painted veil

Once there was a noble man
Fallen in love with a wealthy maid
He stole gold and diamonds from her hands
A painted veil, it's a painted veil

And he locks her in silence and shade
Builds a gilded cage
He's crazy in love with a stranger
This is a fancy in a mirror

He adores her, she's a bird in a cage
And years have gone in despair, his love is vain
Because he's a blind man, he don't know her name
Falling in love with a shadow, a painted veil, a painted veil

Once there was a young pretty maid
She saw her face on the bright water
She spent days and years staring at herself
A painted veil, she's a painted veil

She's lost her soul, she's lost her dreams
Building a gilded cage
She's crazy in love with a stranger
This is a fancy in a mirror

I adore her, she's a bird in a cage
The years have gone in despair, my love is vain
Because she's a blind lady, she don't know my name
Falling in love with a shadow, a painted veil, a painted veil