Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms lyrics
John GaryBelieve 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,
Thou wouldst 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 fervor 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 turned when he rose.
Song Details
Music: Traditional Air - first printed in a London songbook in 1775... read more
Lyrics: Thomas Moore - 1808
Brief: Thomas Moore dedicated the song to his wife who on contracting smallpox - a disfiguring skin disease, feared Moore would no longer love her. In desperation, he wrote the lyrics reassuring her that he loved her regardless of her appearance.
Category: Irish Folk Song / Love Song
Covers: John Gary (featured), John McCormack, Frank Patterson, Ruby Murray, John McDermott, Sarah Moore, Finbar Wright, Jim McCann.
Album: A Little Bit Of Heaven (1965)