In the seaside town of Southern Cove
She arose with the westering sun.
She fixed her hair with loving care
sipped tea with cinnamon.
She painted her face and dressed in lace
covered satin and high heeled shoes
She walked down the hill on the cobblestone street,
The lady who could not refuse.

An artisan living by the shore
invited her into his life.
She was so naive that summer's eve
as she played the part of his wife.
For many a year did she persevere
a man whose love would abuse
the innocent child who would one day become
The lady who could not refuse.

No longer a child but a woman grown
She received such an unjust reward.
A horror untold as his passions grew cold
toward the woman that so adored
the touch of his hand.  She'd never planned
on the other he'd someday choose.
So feeling the need to be loved she became
The lady who could not refuse.

And so she searched for a loving hand
to save her from being alone
Someone to keep her and gently sweep her
out of the life she had known.
Many answered her call.  She loved them all
Merchants and parvenus.
So the talk of the town gave her the name
The lady who could not refuse.

Often at night in the "Pelican's Roost"
that tavern o'erlooking the sea
She'd sip buttered rum and quietly hum
and say "Come dance with me."
to some sailor strong, who had been so long
away on an ocean cruise.
They'd take in their arms so gratefully
The lady who could not refuse.

One evening cold with smothering fog
Sailed in on an autumn tide
A poet bold.  With rhymes he told
stories until he espied
a look of despair on a woman there.
His smile was not a ruse
as he tenderly held out his hand to touch
The lady who could not refuse.

As time flowed by they came to know
each other in so many ways.
She joyfully cried as he sat by her side
and sang out his lyrics of praise
so the town could hear that he held her dear
to his heart as he sang out the news
That he'd asked for the hand and soon would wed
The lady who could not refuse.

Each Sunday morn with the rising sun
They'd stroll down to the sea.
There on the sand with a loving hand
she'd serve him biscuits and tea.
Together they'd talk and sometimes they'd walk
through Southern Cove's avenues
The woman and man to whom alone
She was the lady that could not refuse.