| Endearing Young Charms Play/Download Music File Barry Taylor |
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| This is an Irish Song of the early 1800s.
The melody had been used earlier for the poem My Lodging it is in the Cold Ground (whose words were also associated with another tune by Locke). It was first printed in 1737 in London, but is probably much older. There was also a set of Scottish lyrics I Lo'ed Ne'er a Laddie But Ane. In 1808 Thomas Moore wrote the lyrics that are popular today. There is also a Harvard version of lyrics to the tune, Fair Harvard.
It is said Moore wrote the lyrics for the wife of the Duke of Wellington when she suffered facial scars from smallpox, though there is some doubt that this is true, as they were married in 1806, and their relationship was known not to be an affectionate one. Another theory is that Moore wrote it for his own wife. For a complete list of tunes by Thomas Moore at this site, search for Thomas Moore in the search engine or see the Contemplator's Short Biography of Thomas Moore. |
Believe me if all those Endearing young charms Which I gaze on so fondly today Were to change by tomorrow And fleet in my arms, Like fairy gifts fading away Though would'st still be adored As this moment thou art Let thy loveliness fade as it will And around the dear ruin Each wish of my heart Would entwine itself Verdantly still. It is not while beauty And youth are thine own And thy cheeks Unprofaned by a tear That the ferver and faith Of a soul can be known To which time will but Make thee more dear No the heart that has truly loved Never forgets But as truly loves On to the close As the sunflower turns On her god when he sets The same look which She'd turned when he rose. |
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From The Fireside Book of Favorite American Songs See Bibliography for full information. Additional information from Prof's Traditional Irish Music Pages. |
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