an 1895 popular song
words and music by Scott Joplin
The sheet music:
Accompaniment:
Lyrics
- This life is very sad to me, a sorrow fills my heart
My story I will tell to you, from me my love did part
The village church bell sadly tolled, the one I loved had died
She was a treasure more than gold, when she was by my side
But now she’s gone beyond recall, in a silent tomb she sleeps
The one I loved yet best of all has left me here to weep
Though death so ruthless stole my love, my dear and only Grace
I’ve yet a treasure in this world, a picture of her face
Chorus
It brings joy to me when ofttimes sad at heart
Her picture I can see, and sad thoughts then depart
Although my love is dead, my only darling Grace
My eyes are ofttimes looking on a picture of her face
- I’ll ne’er forget the days I’ve passed, with Grace, so kind and true
She was to me each day more joy than all the girls I knew
My love for her will ne’er grow cold though she has passed away
I’ll love her still when I am old e’en to my dying day
But now I must content myself, her memory to love
For Grace the darling of my heart is in the land above
But still to cheer me at my home an image of dear Grace
Is all the treasure I now have, a picture of her face
Sung here by Fred Feild: