A popular song from 1898.
Words and music by James Thornton.
A nostalgic love song that says, “I still love you as when you were sixteen.” Written for the songwriter’s wife, Bonnie Thornton. She introduced the song in vaudeville. It has the added 19th century element of separation and longing for extra sentimentality.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment:
Lyrics
- When first I saw the love light in your eye
And heard thy voice, like sweetest melody
Speak words of love to my enraptured soul
The world had naught but joy in store for me
E’en tho’ we’re drifting down life’s stream apart
Your face I still can see in dream’s domain
I know that it would ease my breaking heart
To hold you in my arms just once again
Chorus
I love you as I never loved before
Since first I met you on the village green
Come to me, or my dream of love is o’er
I love you as I loved you
When you were sweet, when you were sweet sixteen
- Last night I dreamt I held your hand in mine
And once again you were my happy bride
I kissed you as I did in “Auld Lang Syne”
As to the church we wandered side by side
The love I bear for you can never die
Without you I had rather not been born
And even though we never meet again
I love you as the sunshine loves the morn
Sung here by Fred Feild: