Let It Be Me

(maybe not folk, but venerable country pop; first recorded in 1957 by one Jill Corey)

LET IT BE ME
English Words by Mann Curtis and Music by Gilbert Becaud

I bless the day I found you
I want to stay around you
And so I beg you, let it be me

Don't take this heaven from one
If you must cling to someone
Now and forever, let it be me

Each time we meet love
I find complete love
Without your sweet love what would life be?

So never leave me lonely
Tell me you love me only
And that you'll always let it be me

Each time we meet love
I find complete love
Without your sweet love what would life be

So never leave me lonely
Tell me you love me only
And that you'll always---let--it--be--me

Often done in 2-part harmony ~ Everly Brothers ('60), Jerry Butler and Betty Everett ('64), the Sweet Inspirations ('67), Glen Campbell and Bobbie Gentry ('69), and a solo recording by Willie Nelson in 1982. The Everlys and Jerry & Betty both had top-ten hits.

"English Words by Mann Curtis and Music by Gilbert Becaud" ~ I assume this means the song was originally written in another language (French?)

Four of us sang this last Saturday as part of the bilingual kareoke spectacle at a Vietnamese/American wedding. It woulda been better with just two well-rehearsed singers.

I'll take a stab at the chords, but I have to do it in my head. It's the middle of the night so I can't actually play 'em out loud:

VERSE:
C       G
So never leave me lonely
Am          Em
Tell me you love me only
F               C      F         C
And that you'll always let it be me

BRIDGE:
F            Em (or C)
Each time we meet love
F          Em
I find complete love
F            C          F(?)            E G
Without your sweet love what would life be

(I'm pretty sure about that E major chord near the end of the bridge; I think it resolves into a G or G7. Can't be sure, and I can't bust out my guitar to check right now.)

Well, here's hoping I just cured my insomnia ~ back to bed!