Somehow by fate misguided,
A buttercup resided
In the mandarin's orchid garden.

A buttercup that did not please
The lovely peace of such a place.
And so it simply [shined] above
And begged each orchids pardon,
The little buttercup in the orchid garden.

The bees keep passing daily
And kiss the orchids dearly,
In the mandarin's orchid garden.

A buttercup [side] longing leaf,
But love was not for such as she.
And so under the tree of love hanged I
Still begging pardon,
The lonely buttercup in the orchid garden.

I too have been misguided;
To long have I resided
In the mandarin's orchid garden.

And all for friendliness I am,
I do not know which way to talk.
Alone must I keep [praying God]
To beg each lady's pardon.

A lonely buttercup
In the orchid garden.

Copyright: Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Writer(s): GEORGE GERSHWIN, IRA GERSHWIN