This song was quoted in the text posted by Cameron back in 1998:

From the sheet music at the the Levy collection:


SHE MAY HAVE SEEN BETTER DAYS
Words and music by James Thornton, ©1894.

1. While strolling along with the city's vast throng
On a night that was bitterly cold,
I noticed a crowd who were laughing aloud
At something they chanced to behold.
I stopped for to see what the object could be,
And there on a doorstep lay
A woman in tears from the crowd's angry jeers,
And then I heard somebody say:

CHORUS: She may have seen better days
When she was in her prime.
She may have seen better days,
Once upon a time.
Though by the wayside she fell,
She may yet mend her ways.
Some poor old mother is waiting for her
Who has seen better days.

2. If we could but tell why the poor creature fell,
Perhaps we'd be not so severe.
If the truth were but known of this outcast alone,
Mayhap we would ail shed a tear.
She was once someone's joy, cast aside like a toy,
Abandoned, forsaken, unknown.
Ev'ry man standing by had a tear in his eye,
For some had a daughter at home.

3. The crowd went away, but I longer did stay,
For from her I was loath to depart.
I knew by her moan as she sat there alone
That something was breaking her heart.
She told me her life; she was once a good wife,
Respected and honored by all.
Her husband had fled ere they were long wed,
And tears down her cheeks sadly fall.