I am a little handkerchief
That's gone around the world
My ownership has changed
I am singed and stained
And wound around with pearls

I've sat on ladies laps
And often up their sleeves
I've bled and cried
I nearly died
And drenched myself in tea

I am a little handkerchief
That's gone around the world
My initials: V.J.M.
Don't resemble what they did then
Stitched by a little girl

I've been dropped on dusty floors
Trampled by gentleman's shoes
Kicked by careless shoves
Retrieved by white gloves
And freshened with perfume

I am a little handkerchief
That's gone around the world
I've spoken French
Jumped and been benched
When my owner tried to twirl

I've been used as a cleaning tool
Or stuck inside old books
Waved in the breeze
Been caught in trees
And sometimes drowned in brooks