When You Were Sweet Sixteen Lyrics
The FureysSee also: Original Lyrics
Music Video
When You Were Sweet Sixteen
When first I saw the love light in your eye,
I thought the world held naught but joy for me.
And even though we drifted far apart,
I never dream, but what I dream of thee
I love you as I've never loved before,
Since first I saw you on the village green.
Come to me e'er my dreams of love are o'er,
I love you as I loved you,
When you were sweet,
When you were sweet sixteen.
[Instrumental]
I love you as I've never loved before,
Since first I saw you on the village green.
Come to me e'er my dreams of love are o'er,
I love you as I loved you,
When you were sweet,
When you were sweet sixteen.
[Instrumental]
Song Details
🎶 Songwriter: James Thornton - Irish-American songwriter and vaudeville performer.
📅 Date: 1898
📝 Song Brief: Thornton’s inspiration for the song came from a comment he made to his wife. She had asked if he still loved her, to which he replied, "I love you like I did when you were sweet sixteen." The song reflects on young love, cherished memories, and the eternal devotion that lasts long after youth has faded.
🍀 Genre: Irish Ballad, Irish Folk Song
👥 Covers: Perry Como, Al Jolson, The Celtic Angels, Ronan Tynon, Christine Browne, The Mills Brothers, Daniel O'Donnell, Ann Williamson.
🎤 Featured Artists: The Fureys
💿 Album When You Were Sweet Sixteen
Released: 1982
Country: Ireland
Format: 12" Vinyl, LP
Label: Banshee Records
🎸 If you'd like to play this song on guitar, you can view the chord version on our sister site, Bell & Co Music.
Original Lyrics by James Thornton
When You Were Sweet Sixteen
When first I saw the love light in your eye,
And heard thy voice, like sweetest melody,
Speak words of love to my enraptur'd soul,
The world had naught but joy in store for me,
E'en though we're drifting down life's stream apart,
Your face I still can see in love's domain,
I know that it would ease my breaking heart
To hold you in my arms just once again.
I love you as I never lov'd 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 lov'd 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 kiss'd you as I did in auld lang syne,
As to the church we wander'd side by side,
The love I bear for you can never die;
Without you I had rather not been born,
And, even tho' we never meet again,
I love you as the sunshine loves the morn.
I love you as I never lov'd 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 lov'd you,
When you were sweet,
When you were sweet sixteen.
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